Billinge History (the book)

FOR KING AND COUNTRY

It must have been around November 1999 that my mother gave me a tiny slip of paper on which was typed a request for information about Billinge men killed in both World Wars. The name on the bottom of the slip was Harry Roughley. I thought it unlikely that this person was a relation of Jimmy Roughley, the legendary ‘Owd Ruff’ of Holt Crescent and so it turned out to be. Thirty years of living in Billinge could not disguise the St Helens accent when Harry Roughley answered the phone.

After single-handedly compiling the registries of St Mary’s Birchley and leaving copies at both St Helens and Wigan Reference Libraries, Harry had undertaken to gather and record information about all the names mentioned as having Billinge connections on the commemoration plaques and gravestones throughout the area. That is an enormous task for a lone researcher. He had gone through every Church Magazine deposited in the Leigh Archives and every local newspaper recorded on microfilm at both Wigan and St Helens Reference Libraries. His intention was to gather relevant information, a photograph and a picture of the regimental cap badge of every person killed in action, connected to Billinge, from two World Wars. A large percent of the information he was searching for proved easy to obtain. A small percent proved almost impossible. Feeling that my parents knew, or would know somebody who did know, everybody who died in the Second World War and the remaining families of those who perished in the First World War, I undertook to help Harry trace the names that were proving elusive. Some we found and some we didn’t. The quest was interesting and very fulfilling. I’m too young to remember even the Second World War but I do remember the derelict bombsites as the train pulled into Liverpool when I was a kid. Just a few weeks ago I came upon this poem, embossed on a bronze plaque, fastened to a stone by a deserted airfield near Fiskerton.

Listen to the Wind.

Stranger, pause here a little while,

And listen to the West wind’s sigh,

With its tale of long gone men -

Earth shall not see their likes again.

Stand by this stone and lend an ear,

And I’ll show you ghosts of yesteryear;

The windsock’s crack, the cold wind’s moan,

Long dead men crowd around – we’re not alone.

Look at this empty, lonely place,

Do their shadows unseen still cross my face?

Listen! Far off thunder – or a Merlin’s roar,

Borne on the wind from time’s remote shore.

Abandoned, quiet, here I lie,

Time stands still, though years roll by;

Runways broken, dispersals gone,

The only sound the skylark’s song.

Half a hundred years have passed,

Half a century since I saw them last;

Lancasters, black against the sky;

Aircrews young, so many soon to die.

They came from England and from distant shores,

Volunteers, each one, to defend liberty’s cause;

These fractured runways know how many went,

Silent witnesses to Youth’s blood spent.

I was created from the very earth for which they fought,

My rich, dark soil, with their sacrifice they bought;

In Lincoln Cathedral, yonder, their names are found,

And know this, by their blood you stand on hallowed ground.

Let the tangled weeds that cover me remain,

Shrouding my memories of hope and pain;

And, as I return slowly to land

Let this precious stone in perpetual homage stand.

So Stranger, continue now upon your way,

But forget not those who – it seems but yesterday

Gave their tomorrows that you might live,

For your freedom they gave all they had to give.

Cedric Keith St George Roberts. May 1995.

Dedicated to the Aircrews of 576 Squadron, No I Group, R.A.F. Bomber Command, who operated Lancaster Bombers from Fiskerton between October 1944 and May 1945, so many never to return.

Reading these words made me think of my Uncle Bill and George Kearsley dive-bombing Chadwick Green as trainee pilots in 1940. It made me think again about my Uncle Stanley Williams on the Murmansk convoys and my Uncle Ernie Lee on mopping-up operations in the Pacific. It made me remember Betty Atherton running back to Holt Crescent from Carr Mill Road, terrified when a couple of stray bombs landed in the field near Long Fold Brow. It made me think about Harry Roughley and what he was doing to perpetuate the names of those from Billinge who gave their lives for King and country. It will not be long before there is not a single living person who can remember ever seeing someone who died in the Second World War. Below is the text that Harry as so far amalgamated – lest we forget.

(13/5/00)

1914-1918 War

Francis Anderton Harry Hill

William Neville Anderton William Edward Hitchen

Francis Ashall Arthur Frederick Humphrey

John Ashall David Hurst

Herbert Atherton Robert Hurst

John Ball Thomas Hurst

Thomas Bell William Thomas Hurst

Joseph Edwin Bellis Thomas Huyton

William Bolton Ernest James

James Callon Job Jones

Joseph Chisnall David James Kendrick

Samuel Clayton Henry Lomax

Patrick Coleman Henry Lowe

Reginald Crome William Lowe

William Cunliffe Thomas Makin

James Richard Ellison Richard Melling

Reginald Ellison John William Mills

James Gaskell Richard Richmond

Joseph Gee Richard Roby

Valentine Gerrard James Shuttleworth

Humphrey Glover Thomas Snowden

John Glover James Taylor

Frederick Green Arthur Whincup

Samuel Hart Peter Whittle

Josiah Hasleden Henry Wilson

Joseph Hewson Joseph Wilson

1939-1945 War

William Ashall John Charles Hurst

Alec Bold John Leyland

John Bernard Bolton George Littler

Harold Dennett John Thomas Nicholson

James Gerard Foster Norman James Parkinson

John Thomas Foster Jack Pennington

Harold Gee Jack Ratcliffe

George Heslop Herbert Summers

William Hewitt Horace James Walker

Henry Heyes Arthur Cyril White

Bernard Ralph Higham James Wilson

Philip Geoffrey Higham

1914 – 1918

Francis Anderton

Private 29943 2^nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment.

Francis was born in Billinge on the 24^th of April 1887 the son of James and Ann Anderton, and was baptised on the 22^nd of May 1887 in St. Aidan’s C.E. Church.

The family lived at 177 Main Street. Francis who worked as a collier married Isabella Smith a dressmaker of 104 Upholland Road, and they went to live at 7 Newton Road, Billinge when he enlisted at Warrington in the middle of 1916 to join the South Lancashire Regiment.

While serving in France he was reported missing and then killed in action on Sunday the 26^th of May 1918 aged 29 years old.

His name is recorded on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France, on St. Aidan’s Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 10/164.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, October 1916.

William Neville Anderton

Company Quarter Master Sergeant 1906 A Company 1/9^th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment.

William was born on the 11^th of January 1894 the son of Peter and Ellen Anderton of 161 Main Street, Billinge, and was baptised on the 4^th of February 1894 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. Peter was a provision dealer.

William a former pupil of Ashton-in-Makerfield Grammar School and a student at St. Thomas’s C.E. School, Ashton, went to study at Bristol University where he joined the Univerity Territorials in 1912. After completing his course of training he joined Glazebury C.E. School and lived with his mother at Billinge Post Office, his father had died in 1913. Soon afterwards war broke out and he rejoined his regiment “ The Gloucesters” on the 5^th of August 1914, and left for the front in March 1915.

William was killed by a shell on Sunday the 3^rd of September 1916 aged 22 years, and is buried in the Auchonvillers Military Cemetery, Somme, near Arras, France, grave II.H.10.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 5/203.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; The Wigan Observer, 15^th of September 1917.

Francis Ashall

Gunner 171932 A Battery 103^rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Francis was born on the 29^th of August 1894 the son of William and Ellen Ashall of 20 Newton Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the 2^nd of September 1894 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. Francis who was a Sunday school teacher enlisted at St. Helens to join the Royal Field Artillery.

While he was serving in France he was wounded at the end of September and died on Saturday the 20^th of October 1917 aged 23 years. Francis is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave XXX.F.2A.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/197.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, November 1917.

John Ashall

Lance Corporal 16314 8^th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (formally 9752 Manchester Regiment)

John was born on the 19^th of April 1888 the son of George and Alice Ashall of 122 UpHolland Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the 3^rd of June 1888 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He worked at the Winstanley Collieries before enlisting at Wigan in October 1914 to join the Manchester Regiment, later transferring to the East Lancashire Regiment.

John, who was serving in France, was reported missing and then killed in action on Thursday the 16^th of November 1916. He was 28 years old and single. He is buried in the Waggon Road Cemetery, Baeumont-Hamel, Somme, France, grave B.23.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; The Wigan Observer, 20^th of January 1917.

Herbert Atherton.

Private 5454 5^th Battalion Connaught Rangers (formally 4^th Battalion)

Herbert was born in Billinge on the 14^th of February 1883 the fifth of six children of Thomas and Margaret Atherton (nee Rigby), and was baptised on the 16^th of February 1883 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. The family lived at 12 Fair View and Herbert enlisted at Southport to join the Connaught Rangers.

The Connaught Rangers formed part of the British Salonika Force in Macedonia, where he was killed in action on Tuesday the 7^th of December 1915. He was 32 years old.

His name is recorded on the Doiran Memorial near the Doiran Military Cemetery, North Greece close to the Yugoslav frontier, and on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials, and on the St. Helens Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, May 1915.

John Ball

Private 19367 13^th Battalion The Kings (Liverpool) Regiment.

John was born in Upholland the son of James and Ellen Ball. The family lived at 14 Kings Moss, Crank and John who had a younger brother James and two younger sisters Elizabeth and Ellen, attended Crank School and was also a member of Crank choir. He was comfirmed in All Saint C.E. Church, Rainford. He enlisted at Southport on the 7^th of September 1914 and joined The Kings Liverpool Regiment.

He went out to Salonika in September 1915 and was later wounded there in September 1916. After recovering he was sent to France in May 1917 but was killed there in a raid on the enemy’s trenches on Wednesday the 7^th of November 1917. He was 25 years old. A memorial service was held for him at Crank on Sunday the 9^th of December 1917 at 3 p.m.

His parents received his medals:- 1914 Star

War Medal

His name is recorded on the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, bay 3, on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and All Saints C.E. Church, Rainford Memorials, the Upholland Cenotaph and on the Crank School Memorial (a reading desk now in Alder Lane Mission). His name is on the family grave headstone in All Saints Churchyard, grave 1098.

Sources:- Nephew; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Rainford Parish Magazine, December 1917.

Thomas Bell

Gunner 51147 11^th Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery

Thomas was born in Ormsby, Yorkshire the son of Charles and Hannah Bell.

He was working at Winstanley Hall before enlisting early in 1915 at Wigan to join the Royal Garrison Artillery.

While serving in France he was killed on Saturday the 23^rd of March 1918. He was 24 years of age and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France, grave P.VI.11B.

Thomas gave his parents as his next of kin, living at Hemlington Hall Farm, Stainton, Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire. No record of where he was living in Billinge has been found.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s Memorial.

Sources:- St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, March 1915 to May 1918; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Joseph Edwin Bellis

Rifleman & Lewis Gunner 4332 1/5^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Edwin was born on the 21^st of June 1897 the youngest child and second son of Edwin and Mary Ann Bellis of 29 Carr Mill Road (Long Fold), and was baptised on the 1^st of August 1897 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. The family later moved to 37 Carr Mill Road and Edwin worked as a drawer at the Winstanley Collieries, Leyland Green before enlisting on the 27^th of September 1915 at St. Helens to join the South Lancashire Regiment.

He was serving in France when he was killed in action on Wednesday the 2^nd of August 1916 aged 19 years. It is said that after Edwin was reported killed, his mother never laughed again, and she was one of the first mothers to go over to France in 1919 to visit her son’s grave. Edwin is buried in the Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, Somme, France, grave IV.F.39.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and the Methodist Church Memorials, the St. Helens Cenotaph and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/31.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, September 1916; The Wigan observer, 2^nd of September 1916; The Billingers by R.D. Lewis.

William Bolton

Corporal T2/10137 Royal Army Service Corps

William was born on the 30^th of January 1887 the last of four children of Henry and Mary Bolton (nee Eddleston), and was baptised on the 2^nd of February 1887 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. William of Sefton Fold married Elizabeth Cook of Kings Moss on the 21^st of August 1907 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. They had four children; Austin born 1908; Frank born 1910; Harry born 1914; Jane born 1915, died 1916. All were baptised in St. Mary’s Church. The family lived at 3 Brook Lane, Kings Moss and William served in the Royal Army Service Corps.

William died of wounds in Billinge Military Hospital on Wednesday the 9^th of April 1919 aged 32 years and was buried on the 12^th of April in St. Mary’s Churchyard, War grave 1/32.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials, and on All Saints C.E. Church, Rainford Memorial.

Sources:- Widow’s daughter; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; St. Mary’s Church Registers.

James Callon

Private 40537 2^nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

James was born on the 16^th of October 1897 the son of Peter and Elizabeth Callon (nee Duckworth), and was baptised on the 30^th of October 1897 at SS. Oswald and Edmund Arrowsmith R.C. Church, Ashton in Makerfield. He enlisted in St. Helens to join the East Lancashire Regiment.

While serving in France he was killed in action on Monday the 23^rd of September 1918. He was 20 years old and is buried in the Roclincourt Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave V.E.17.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; SS. Oswald and Edmund Arrowsmith Church Registers.

Joseph Chisnall

Gunner 74497 B Battery 52^nd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Joseph was born on the 19^th of January 1897 the son of Thomas and Mary Jane Chisnall (nee Gaskell), and was baptised on the 24^th of January 1897 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. The family lived at 1 Victoria Road, Garswood and Joseph enlisted at Warrington to join the Royal Field Artillery.

While serving in Flanders he was wounded and died there on Friday the 26^th of November 1915. He was 18 years of age and is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, grave 11.D.13.

His name is recorded on St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers.

Samuel Clayton

Bombardier 56848 D Battery 103^rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Samuel was born on the 30^th of May 1894 the son of William and Mary Clayton of 68 Rainford Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the same day at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church.

The family later moved to 19 Upholland Road and Samuel enlisted at Wigan at the end of 1914 or the beginning of 1915 to join the Royal Field Artillery.

He was serving in France when he was killed in action on Sunday the 8^th of October 1916, aged 22 years. Samuel is buried in the Peake Wood Cemetery, Fricourt, Somme, France, grave C.27.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, January 1915.

Patrick Coleman

Private 19041 1^st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (formally 3^rd Battalion)

Patrick was born on the 11^th of December 1876 the third of seven children of Patrick and Margaret Coleman (nee Mulroy) of Rainford Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the 17^th of December 1876 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. It would seam likely that he enlisted with Henry Wilson as they both enlisted at the St. Helens and both joined the 3^rd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, an unusual regiment for Billinge men. If so, he may have seen his friend and fellow villager killed in Gallipoli before the Battalion came back to fight on the Western Front.

While serving in Flanders he was killed in action on Tuesday the 16^th of July 1918. Patrick was 41 years old, and his name is recorded on the Ploegsteerty Memorial, Belgium, panel 10, and also on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine.

Reginald Crome

Private 305702 2^nd Battalion Tank Corps (formally 10546 Royal Army Medical Corps)

Reginald was born in St. Giles, Norwich, Norfolk, but enlisted at Wigan to join the Royal Army Medical Corps.

He was wounded and came to Billinge Hospital, which was a military hospital in the First World War, and whilst recovering signed an autograph book as did his mother Elizabeth Heazle who was working and living at the hospital. The first entry shows a drawing of the R.A.M.C. badge with name Pte. R. Crome and the date 2-5-17, and the second entry is a little poem “Some Love” and signed E.Heazle Military Hospital, Billinge. Reginald was transferred to the Tank Corps and while serving in France was again wounded and died on Sunday the 22^nd of September 1918. He was 21 years of age and is buried in the Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, grave 1.D.25.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Luke’s C.E. Church, Orrell Memorials.

Sources:- Widow’s daughter; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

William Cunliffe

Private 22495 9^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (formally 4^th Battalion Connaught Rangers)

William was born in Bryn in 1894 the son of William and Jane Cunliffe, but later the family moved to Billinge. He enlisted at Warrington at the beginning of 1915 to join the Connaught Rangers and was later transferred to the South Lancashire Regiment.

William was serving in Greece where he died of wounds at Salonika on Friday the 20^th of September 1918, he was 23 years of age and is buried in the Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston, Greece, grave B.302.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, February 1915.

James Richard Ellison

Private 5971 1^st Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

James was born in Wigan in 1882 but was living in Billinge Higher End when he enlisted at Preston to join the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.

While serving in France he was killed in action on Monday the 14^th of September 1914.

His name is recorded on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France, on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Luke’s C.E. Church, Orrell Memorials and on the Upholland Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Reginald Ellison

Able Seaman Z/38 Howe Battalion Royal Naval Division

Reginald was the son of James Ormrod and Anne Elizabeth Ellison of Laurel Bank, Tarbock Road, Huyton.

He enlisted at Liverpool (Mersey) to join the Royal Navy and served in the Howe Battalion of the Royal Naval Division, which was one of the twelve battalions formed from the Royal Navy personnel who fought as soldiers. While fighting at Gallipoli he received a gunshot wound on the 1^st of May 1915 and was taken to a hospital in Alexandria, Egypt where he died on Wednesday the 26^th of May 1915. Reginald was 18 years of age and is buried in the Chatby Military Cemetery, Alexandria, Egypt, grave L.127.

His name is recorded on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s C.E. Churchyard, grave 10/82.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Roll of Honour Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division and The Cross of Sacrifice vol. IV 1914-1921; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Helens Newspaper, 1^st of June 1915.

James Gaskell

Lance Corporal G/6959 6^th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) (previously Royal Field Artillery)

James was born on the 25^th of April 1897 the son of James and Betsy Gaskell of “Brocstedes”, Downall Green, and was baptised on the 3^rd of July 1897 at Holy Trinity C.E. Church, Ashton (Downall Green). He went to Holy Trinity School and then worked for Crompton’s hinge and lock manufacturer, as did his father, but later went down the coal mine before enlisting at St. Helens with his brother Thomas to join the Royal Field Artillery.

James transferred to The Buffs and while serving in France was reported missing and later killed in action on Saturday the 7^th of October 1916. He was 19 years old and is buried in the Bancourt British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, grave VIII.A.1.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, May 1915 and July 1917; The Wigan Examiner, 26^th of May 1917.

Joseph Gee

Driver 64872 24^th Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

Joseph was born in Billinge on the 3^rd of April 1893 the seventh of eleven children of William and Ann Gee (nee Wilson), and was baptised on the 16^th of April 1893 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. The family lived at 206 Main Street, Billinge and Joseph was a member of the local football team, Billinge Albion, and worked at the Billinge Colliery before enlisting at St. Helens in January 1915 to join the Royal Field Artillery, becoming a driver.

Joseph was killed in action in France on Friday the 22^nd of March 1918 aged 24 years.

It is said that after he was killed his parents never locked the front door in the hope that he would walk in.

His name is recorded on the Poziers Memorial near Albert, France, panels 7 to 10 and on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials.

His parents received his medals:- 1914-1915 Star; British Medal; Victory Medal.

Sources:- Niece; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; The Wigan Observer, 1^st of June 1918.

Valentine Gerrard

Sapper 434161 490^th Field Company Royal Engineers

Valentine was the son of William and Emma Cecilia Gerrard of 1 High Street, Skelmersdale. The family moved to Smethurst Road, Billinge Higher End, and Valentine enlisted at Liverpool to join the Royal Engineers.

He was killed in action on Monday the 27^th of May 1918 at Berry-au-Bac, France aged 21 years.

His name is recorded on the Soissons Memorial, France, St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the Upholland Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Humphrey Glover

Rifleman R/8804 7^th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Humphrey was born in Wigan the son of Samuel and Margaret Glover. He was married and lived at 38 Pool Street, Poolstock, and worked as a conductor on the Ashton route of the corporation tramways. Humphrey enlisted in January 1915 at Wigan to join the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

He was wounded on the 9^th of September 1916 and after recovering returned to the front in March 1917. He was a signaller and while on active duty he was struck by a piece of a shell on Tuesday the 4^th of December 1917, and died at the dressing station. He was 27 years old, and was buried in the Oxford Road Cemetery, , Belgium, grave V.E.4.

Humphrey was one of three brothers, another of whom Sergeant John Glover of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers was killed about twelve months earlier, while the third has been discharged from the Army on medical grounds.

His name is recorded on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 5/28, and also on the Wigan Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Wigan Observer, 29^th of December 1917.

John Glover

Sergeant 11690 2^nd Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers

John was born on the 10^th of December 1895 the son of Samuel and Margaret Glover of 29 Longshaw Common, and was baptised on the 26^th of January 1896 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He was unmarried and lived with his parents at 42 Billing Road, Pemberton. John enlisted at the commencement of the war at Wigan and joined the King’s Own Scottish Borderers

While in charge of a company of bombers in France he was shot by a sniper on Monday the 22^nd of January 1917. John is buried in the Brown’s Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, France, grave I.H.14.

He was one of three brothers, another of whom Rifleman Humphrey Glover of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps was killed about twelve months later, whilst the third has been discharged from the Army on medical grounds.

His name is recorded on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s C.E. Churchyard, grave 5/28.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; The Wigan Observer, 24^th of February 1917.

Frederick Green

Rifleman 4199 1/5^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Frederick was born in Sheffield in 1889 but was living in Billnge with his foster parent James and Elizabeth Green of 11 Fair View, when he enlisted at St. Helens to join the South Lancashire Regiment.

While serving in France he was wounded and died there on Wednesday the 9^th of August 1916 aged 27 years. Frederick is buried in Dive Copse British Cemetery, Somme, France, grave 1.B.14.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Helens Newspaper, 29^th of August 1916; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, August 1915.

Samuel Hart

Gunner 204045 2^nd Reserve Battalion Royal Field Artillery

Samuel was born on the 14^th of January 1890 the son of Henry and Anne Hart of Kings Moss, and was baptised on the 16^th of February 1890 at St. Thomas’ C.E. Church, Upholland. He was the ninth of ten children and attended Crank School. The family lived at “Crows Nest” a farmhouse halfway up Shaley Brow. Samuel went to work as a Police Constable in Hebden Bridge in the West Riding Constabulary, Yorkshire, and was living there at 7 Albert Street when he married Jessie Paul of 84 Rainford Road, Billinge on the 22^nd of February 1915 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church, Billinge.

Samuel joined the Royal Field Artillery and while stationed at Catterick Camp died there suddenly of heart disease on Wednesday the 24^th of January 1917 aged 27 years. He was buried on the 29^th of January 1917 in St. Aidan’s C.E. Churchyard, grave 9/30 (Ext 250).

His name is recorded on All Saints C.E. Church Memorial, Rainford, and on the Crank School Memorial (a reading desk now in the Alder Lane Misson) and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/30.

Sources:- Nephew; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Thomas’ Church Registers.

Josiah Hasleden

Private Po 703(S) Portsmouth Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry Royal Naval Division

Josiah was born on the 26^th of December 1890 the son of Isaac and Mary Hasleden of Enfield Street, Pemberton, and was baptised on the 27^th of February 1891 at St. Matthews C.E. Church, Highfield. Isaac was a collier. The family later moved to Winstanley Lodge, Orrell and Josiah volunteered to join the Royal Marine Light Infantry and served in the Portsmouth Battalion which was one of the Twelve battalions formed from the Royal Navy personnel to fight as soldiers.

Josiah was serving in Gallipoli where he was killed in action on Monday the 3^rd of May 1915. He was 25 years of age and is buried in the Beach Cemetery, Anzac, Turkey, grave I.A.15.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Luke’s C.E. Church, Orrell Memorials, and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/164.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Roll of Honour Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division and The Cross of Sacrifice vol. IV 1914-1921; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, May 1915; St. Matthews Church Registers.

Harry Hill

Private 5032 5^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Harry was born on the 28^th of June 1888 the son of Joseph and Sarah Hill of Upholland Road, Billinge, and was baptised Harry Shaw on the 1^st of July 1888 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. The family moved to 28 Newton Road and Harry worked at the Winstanley Collieries before enlisting in June 1916 at St. Helens to join the South Lancashire Regiment.

He was drafted to the front ten weeks after volunteering for bomb throwing, and was severely wounded by shrapnel and was admitted to hospital where he died on Saturday the 9^th of September 1916 aged 28 years. Harry is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, grave X.C.12.

His name is recorded on the St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; The Wigan Observer, 14^th of October 1916.

William Edward Hitchen

Driver 70274 20^th Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

William was born on the 15^th of January 1896 the son of Alfred and Ellen Hitchen of 17 Beacon Lane, Billinge, and was baptised on the 1^st of March 1896 in St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. The family moved to 48 Newton Road and William enlisted at Wigan in January 1915 to join the Royal Field Artillery.

While he was serving in France he died there of disease on Tuesday the 18^th of June 1918 aged 22 years and was buried in the St. Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt, Pas-de-Calais, France, grave 1.D.7.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 12/27.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, July 1918.

Arthur Frederick Humphrey

Private 242196 1/5^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Arthur was born on the 22^nd of March 1883 the son of Jeremiah Alfred and Maria Humphrey of Winstanley Park, and was baptised on the 29^th of April 1883 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. Jeremiah was a gamekeeper.

Arthur enlisted at Wigan to join the South Lancashire Regiment and while serving in France was wounded and died there on Saturday the 27^th of April 1918. He was 35 years of age and was buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France, grave XXXII.G.2A.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Luke’s C.E. Church, Orrell Memorials.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers.

David Hurst

Private 70462 22^nd Battalion Manchester Regiment (Formally 40369 East Lancashire Regiment)

David was born on the 12^th of April 1895 the son of Thomas and Alice Hurst of 33 Rainford Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the same day at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church.

He was living at Clock Face when he enlisted at St. Helens to join the East Lancashire Regiment, later transferring to the Manchester Regiment.

David was serving in Italy where he was wounded, dying there on Sunday the 3^rd of November 1918. He was 24 years of age and is buried in the Giavera British Cemetery, Italy, grave 4.D.3. His brother Thomas serving in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London) was killed about three months earlier.

David’s name is recorded on All Saints C.E. Church Memorial, Sutton, and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 5/19.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers.

Thomas Hurst

Private 1343 7^th Battalion Royal Fusiliers (City of London)

Thomas was born on the 11^th of July 1892 the son of Thomas and Alice Hurst of 33 Rainford Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the 28^th of August 1892 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He was living in St. Helens where he enlisted to join the Royal Fusiliers.

Thomas was killed in action in France on Wednesday the 21^st of August 1918, he was 26 years old. His brother David serving in the Manchester Regiment was killed about three months later.

His name is recorded on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France, panel 3, on All Saints C.E. Church Memorial, Sutton on the famliy grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 5/19, and on the St. Helens Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers.

William Thomas Hurst

Sergeant 54667 Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (Formally 28568 3^rd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment)

William was born in St. Helens but was working as a collier and living at 42 Main Street, Billinge when he married Sarah Elizabeth Derbyshire a dressmaker living at 167 Main Street, at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church on the 1^st of June 1914. They went to live at 3 Garswood Road, Billinge where Sarah Elizabeth (Bessie) died on the 7^th of December 1915 aged 34 years. William went to live with his mother Mrs. Annie Ward at 18 Newton Road, Billinge and then enlisted at St. Helens to join the South Lancashire Regiment, but later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps.

William aged 35 years died of wounds in the Military Hospital at Pendleton on Sunday the 14^th of April 1918 and was buried with military honours in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/182 (New ground C.E. 558).

His name is recorded on the St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/182.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, May 1918.

Thomas Huyton

Gunner 810475 D Battery 231^st Brigade Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force)

Thomas was born in Billinge on the 14^th of September 1895 the tenth of thirteen children of James and Elizabeth Huyton (nee Cook), and was baptised on the 15^th of September 1895 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. The family lived at Kings Moss and Thomas enlisted at Rainford to join the Royal Field Artillery.

He was serving in the D Howitzer Battery in France when the whole battery took a direct hit on Thursday the 5^th of July 1917 and all thirteen men were buried together in the Fosse Number 10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains-En-Gohelle, France, grave II.A.12. Thomas was 21 years of age.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials and also on the Upholland Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; “Over There” a commemorative history of the old Leek Battery 1908-1919.

Ernest James

Lance Corporal 10311 6^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Ernest was born in Longton in Staffordshire. He enlisted at Warrington in 1915 to join the South Lancashire Regiment. While serving at Gallipoli he died there on Monday the 9^th of August 1915.

No record has been found of where he was living in Billinge, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission do not give an age or name any next of kin, but give their address as Kirkdale, Liverpool.

His name is recorded on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, panels 139 and 140, and on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, October 1915 and January 1916.

Job Jones

Lance Bombardier 5081 27^th Battery Royal Field Artillery

Job was born on the 28^th of December 1884 the son of Job and Mary Ann Jones of 21 Eustace Street, Warrington, and was baptised on the 8^th of March 1885 at Warrington Parish Church (St. Elphin). Job senior was a wire drawer. On the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and in the 1881 census his mother is named as Mary Jane. The family moved to 58 Oxford Lane, Warrington and Job enlisted at Warrington to join the Royal Field Artillery.

He was wounded and while recovering in Billinge Hospital, which was being used as a military hospital during the war, met Nellie Walsh Rigby who was working at the hospital and they married at St. Nathanial’s C.E. Church, Platt Bridge on the 28^th of November 1917. Job recovered and went back to the Front in France where he was killed in action on Wednesday the 16^th of October 1918. He was aged 33 years and was buried in the St. Aubert British Cemetery, Nord, France, grave III.B.25.

His widow listed as living at Billinge Hospital received his medals:-

1914 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

J. Jones is listed on the Warrington Cenotaph, but the Cenotaph does not list the Christian names or the Regiments.

Sources:- Son-in-law (by second marriage); St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Elphin’s Church Registers; St. Nathanial’s Church Registers.

David James Kendrick

Private 32000 10^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment (Formally Reserve in the 3^rd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment)

David was born in Billinge the son of David and Martha Jane Kendrick. The family was living at 152 St. James Road, Orrell and David, who worked at the Bispham Hall Colliery, joined the Territorials in 1912. When the war started he enlisted at Preston to join the 3^rd Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, later transferring to the Cheshire Regiment.

David was killed in action in France on Friday the 28^th of July 1916. He was 24 years old, and was buried in the Knightsbridge Cemetery, Mesnil-Martinsart, France, grave E.41.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and on St. Luke’s C.E. Church, Orrell Memorials, and also on the Upholland Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazines, September 1914, May 1915 and September 1916; The Wigan Observer, 30^th of September 1916.

Henry Lomax

Private 43474 1^st Battalion Kings Shropshire Light Infantry

Henry was born in Crank on the 31^st of March 1899 the son of Charles and Emma Lomax (nee Critchley). They later moved to Long Fold, Billinge and Henry enlisted at Billinge to join the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Henry and James Shuttleworth had the same grand parents.

Henry was killed in action on Thursday the 17^th of October 1918 in France/Flanders and was buried in the High Tree Cemetery, Montbrehain, France, grave A.7. He was 19 years of age.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church, the Methodist Church and All Saints C.E. Church, Rainford Memorials.

Sources:- Mr. Frank Rimmer of Rainford; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Billingers by R.D. Lewis.

Henry Lowe

Henry’s name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial, but no information has been found out about him.

A search through the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records for all the Henry or H. Lowe’s for the First World War has not revealed a Billinge connection. Very often there is no next of kin given and, therefore, no address to link to Billinge. Also, ages are not always given and sometimes only initials instead of Christian names.

Several baptisms of a Henry Lowe have been found in the Billinge and surrounding area, but not all the men on the Billinge Memorial were born in Billinge and again I have not found a connection.

If anyone has any information please let us know.

William Lowe

Able Seaman R/4062 Nelson Battalion Royal Naval Division (Volunteer Reserve)

William lived in Carr Mill Road, Long Fold, Billinge, and volunteered to join the Royal Navy. He was in the Nelson Battalion, one of the twelve battalions formed from the Royal Navy personnel to fight as soldiers.

William was wounded in France at the end of 1917 and was in hospital in France before being brought over to Netley Military Hospital near Southampton where he died on Saturday the 16^th of February 1918. He was 26 years of age.

William is buried in St. Aidan’s C.E. Churchyard, War grave 5/11 (middle C.E. 541).

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and the Methodist Church Memorials.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Roll of Honour Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division and The Cross of Sacrifice vol. IV 1914-1921; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, March 1918; The Billingers by R.D. Lewis.

Thomas Makin

Gunner 190822 A Battery 70^th Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Thomas was born on the 28^th of January 1891 the son of William and Agnes Makin of 1 Wigan Road, Billinge (Mount Pleasant Farm), and was baptised on the 22^nd of March 1891 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. William Makin was a farmer and a churchwarden.

Thomas enlisted at St. Helens early in 1917 to join the Royal Field Artillery

He died of wounds in France on Thursday the 18^th of April 1918 aged 27 years. He is buried in the Ligny-St. Flochel British Cemetery, Averdoingt, Pas de Calais, France, grave 1.A.2.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 5/25.

Richard Melling

Private 20963 11^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Richard was born on the 20^th of July 1892 the son of William and Margaret Melling of 112 Upholland Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the 18^th of September 1892 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. The family later moved to 198 Main Street and at the outbreak of war he enlisted at St. Helens to join the 11^th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment, the “St. Helens Pals”.

Richard was in hospital in Sheffield in April 1917 with blood poisoning in the thumb and later returned to the front. He was accidentally killed in France while returning to camp having been run over by a motor transport vehicle on Monday the 22^nd of October 1917. He was 25 years old and single. Richard is buried in the Pond Farm Cemetery, Heuvelland, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave D.1.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 5/39.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, November 1917; The Wigan Observer, 17^th of November 1917.

John William Mills

Private 20145 11^th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment

Jack was born on the 25^th of February 1892 the son of Frederick and Ann Mills and was baptised on the 28^th of February 1892 in Holy Cross R.C. Church, St. Helens.

The family was living at 11 Graham Street, Pocket Nook, St. Helens and Jack enlisted early in 1915 at St. Helens to join the 11^th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment the “St. Helens Pals”. His name is listed in the Holy Cross Roll of Honour of volunteers on the 19^th of February 1915.

While serving in France he died of wounds on Friday the 10^th of March 1916 aged 24 years. Jack is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery, Amiens, France, grave 1.E.9.

His name is recorded on the family grave headstone in St. Mary’s R.C. Churchyard, grave 3/76.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The St. Helens Advertiser, 8^th of March 1918; Holy Cross Church Records; St. Helens Newspaper, 19^th of February 1915.

Richard Richmond

Stoker 1^st Class K/30524 H.M.S. Queen Mary Royal Navy

Richard was born on the 4^th of August 1886 the son of James and Helen Richmond (nee Houghton) of “Hilltop”, Rainford, and was baptised on the 18^th of August 1886 at Lowe House R.C. Church, St. Helens. He attended St. Thomas of Canterbury School between the 8^th of July 1895 and the 25^th of November 1898, and the family were living at Ellison’s Houses, Crank.

Richard joined the Royal Navy and was serving as a stoker first class on the 27,000 ton battle-cruiser H.M.S. Queen Mary in the battle of Jutland in the North Sea, when on Wednesday the 31^st of May 1916 the ship, which was third in line, was hit by a salvo at 4.26 p.m. Following a massive explosion and the ship turned over and sank in only one and a half minutes. Out of a crew of 1266 only 20 survived and were picked up by a destroyer. Richard was 29 years old.

His name is listed on the Portmouth Naval Memorial, panel 19 and on both St. Mary’s R.C. and All Saints C.E. Church Memorials.

Sources:- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Helens Local History Library, The Cross of Sacrifice Vol. IV 1914-1921; Lowe House Church Registers; The St. Helens Reporter, 16^th of June 1916; St. Thomas of Canterbury School Registers.

Richard Roby

Private 11794 1^st Battalion Border Regiment (formally 10^th Battalion)

Richard was born on the 9^th of November 1894 the son of Henry and Sarah Roby of Main Street, Billinge, and was baptised on the 17^th of December 1894 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. The family lived at the council offices, Billinge and Richard worked at the Winstanley Collieries before enlisting at Wigan to join the Border Regiment, originally in the 10^th Battalion.

Richard was on board the 11,000 ton troop ship the “Royal Edward” sailing from Alexandria, Egypt, to reinforce the 29^th Division at Gallipoli when it was sunk without warning by a torpedo on Friday the 13^th of August 1915, six miles west of Kandeliusa (west of the island of Kos) in the Aegean Sea. It sank in only four minutes with more than 850 lives lost including Richard. He was 20 years old.

A memorial service was held for him in St. Aidan’s C.E. Church on Sunday the 31^st of October 1915. Richard was one of the first to enlist and was the first in the district to give his life.

His name is recorded on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, panel 119 to 125 or 222 and 223, and on the St. Aidan’s Church Memorial and also on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/166.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, May 1915; The Wigan Examiner, 6^th of November 1915; The Wigan Observer, 11^th of September 1915.

James Shuttleworth

Driver W/2553 A Battery 121^st Brigade Royal Field Artillery

James was born on the 27^th of January 1897 the son of John and Annie Elizabeth Shuttleworth (nee Haines) of Rant Cottages, Crank. Annie Elizabeth Haines arrived in Rainford from Oxfordshire in about 1876 with her widowed mother Ellen who kept house for her widowed brother-in-law William Lomax, who she later married. Annie Elizabeth died aged 38 years at Brown Heath and was buried on the 9^th of September 1908 at St. Aidan’s Churchyard. His grandparents William and Ellen Lomax at 27 Carr Mill Road, Billinge, brought up James, who was only eleven years old. They were also the grandparents of Henry Lomax who was killed in October 1918 aged 19 years.

James whilst serving with the Royal Field Artillery died on Monday the 29^th of April 1918 aged 21 years and was buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave XXVIII.E.3.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church, the Methodist Church and All Saints C.E. Church, Rainford Memorials.

Sources:- Mr. Frank Rimmer, Rainford; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Billingers by R.D. Lewis.

Thomas Snowden

Private M/281838 Motor Transport Reserve Depot (Grove Park) Royal Army Service Corps.

Thomas was born in Newton-le Willows the son of Abraham and Maria Snowden of Vulcan, and was baptised on the 23^rd of April 1882 at Wargrave Emmanuel Church.

Thomas worked for over twenty years for Dr. Mather of Chapel House, Billinge as a coachman and servant, and was also a sidesman at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He married Emma Heinekey a schoolmistress, of 3 Newton Road, Billinge on the 2^nd of April 1907 at St. Aidan’s Church, and they went to live at 13 Newton Road.

Thomas joined the Motor Transport section of the Royal Army Service Corps at St. Helens in January 1917, and within a fortnight he reported sick with pleurisy. He was in hospital in Bromley, Kent but was then moved to the Canadian Ontaria Military Hospital, Orpington, Kent where he died on Sunday the 25^th of February 1917 aged 35 years. He left a widow and a son Arthur who served in the Royal Navy in the Second World War. Thomas was given a military funeral on the 1^st of March with some fifty soldiers attending from Billinge Hospital, and was buried in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/187 (Newground C.E.563).

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/187.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, April 1917; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; Wargrave Emmanuel Church Registers; The Wigan Observer, 10^th of March 1917; The Wigan Examiner, 10^th of March 1917

James Taylor

Corporal 15479 114^th Company Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) (Formally 6776 Connaught Rangers)

James was born in Billinge on the 5^th of March 1885 the fifth of ten children of Thomas and Sarah Taylor (nee Cunliffe), and was baptised on the 8^th of March 1885 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. He married Jane Mc Loughlin on the 30^th of November 1912 at St. Mary’s Church, and they lived at 29 Fair View.

James enlisted at St. Helens and joined the Connaught Rangers but later was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was killed in action on Tuesday the 31^st of July / Wednesday the 1^st of August 1917 aged 32 years and is buried in the Welsh Cemetery (Ceasar’s Nose), Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave 1.B.13.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials and also two family grave headstones in St. Mary’s Churchyard, graves 1/45 and 2/16.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers.

Arthur Whincup

Driver L/34557 29^th Division Ammunition Column Royal Field Artillery

Arthur was born in Bramham, Yorkshire the son of Grafton and Mary Elizabeth Whincup. He lived with his wife Elizabeth at 202 Upholland Road, Orrell, and enlisted at Wigan to join the Royal Field Artillery.

Arthur was killed in action on Tuesday the 25^th of September 1917 in France/Flanders, and was buried in the Canada Farm Cemetery, Elverdinghe, Belgium, grave III.C.45. He was 36 years of age.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Luke’s C.E. Church Memorials, and on the Upholland Cenotaph.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Peter Whittle

Private 250139 2^nd Reserve Cavalry Regiment

Peter was born in Billinge on the 2^nd of October 1892 the second of three children of James and Ann Whittle (nee Taylor), and was baptised on the 9^th of October 1892 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. The family moved to 2 Juddfield Street, Haydock and he enlisted early in 1915 to join the Cavalry Regiment. His name was recorded on the St. Mary’s, Black Brook Roll of Honour of volunteers on the 16^th of March 1915.

Peter died on Thursday the 13^th of February 1919 aged 26 years, and was buried on Tuesday the 18^th of February 1919 in St. Mary’s Churchyard, War Grave 2/82.

Sources:- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; St. Helens Newspaper, 16^th of March 1915.

Henry Wilson

Private 18770 1^st Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers (formally 3^rd Battalion)

Henry was born on the 24^th of March 1885 the fifth of six children to James and Hannah Wilson (nee Taylor), and was baptised on the 29^th of March 1885 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. Henry lived at Fair View and married Elizabeth Heaton of Gorsey Brow on the 24^th of December 1909 in St. Mary’s Church. They had two children, Ernest born on the 4^th of March 1911 and Stanley born on the 2^nd of June 1913. Both were baptised in St. Mary’s Church. The family lived at 20 Fair View, Billinge and Henry who was 6 feet 1 1/2 inches tall and weighed 11 stones worked at the Garswood Hall Collieries before he enlisted at St. Helens on the 3^rd of February 1915. It would seam likely that he enlisted with Patrick Coleman as they both enlisted at the same place and both joined the 3^rd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, an unusual regiment for Billinge men.

He was serving with the British Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli where he was shot by a sniper at 08.30 hours on Wednesday the 29^th of September 1915. He was 30 years old. Henry is buried in the Azmak Cemetery, Suvla, Turkey, grave I.E.11.

His name is recorded on both St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and St. Mary’s R.C. Church Memorials.

Sources:- Daughter-in-law; Grandson; St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; The Wigan Observer, 30^th of October 1915; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, May 1915 and November 1915.

Joseph Wilson

Private 43518 1^st Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Joseph was born on the 14^th of January 1896 the son of Edmund and Mary Alice Wilson of Billinge Higher End, and was baptised on the 16^th of March 1896 at Bispham Methodist Church. He had one sister and four brothers. The family moved to 7 Green Lane, Orrell, and Joseph worked as a coal miner before enlisted at Upholland to join the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

Joseph was killed in action on Tuesday the 8^th of October 1918 in France/Flanders. He was 22 years of age and is buried in the Ramicourt British Cemetery, Aisne, France, grave A.30.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church, St. Luke’s C.E. Church, Orrell and Bispham Methodist Church Memorials. His name is also on the family grave headstone in St. Thomas’ C.E. Churchyard, Upholland.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Soldiers killed in the Great War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Bispham Methodist Church Registers.

1939 -1945

William Ashall

Fusilier 3457618 10^th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

Bill was the only child of William Thomas and Alice Ashall (nee Kelly) who lived in Main Street, Billinge from where they ran a coal business, which Bill joined. In the 1930’s this was a horse and cart operation, but eventually they bought a new motor lorry, but in 1939 the Army came along and requisitioned it and they then had to buy a second hand lorry. Bill married Doris Whittaker of Rainford on the 13^th of May 1940 at All Saints C.E. Church, Rainford, but before the year was out he was called up and joined the Lancashire Fusiliers.

On Saturday the 9^th of January 1943 he was reported missing in action in Burma. His body was never recovered, he was 29 years old.

His name is recorded on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar, face 8, and on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- Mr. Frank Rimmer, Rainford; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, March 1943.

Alec Bold

Driver 7906387 79^th Assault Squadron Royal Tank Regiment

Alec was born on the 13^th of August 1919 the eldest child of John and Adeline Dorothy Bold of 16 Newton Road, Billinge, and was baptised on the 7^th of September 1919 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. The family later moved to 58 Beacon Road and Alec attended St. Aidan’s School. He played the piano and was taught to play St. Aidan’s organ by the organist Albert Mather. Alec worked at Evans Store in Garswood and then at the Maypole Stores, Pemberton before being called up and joining the Royal Tank Regiment.

Alec became a tank driving instructor on Salisbury Plain and later took part in the D-Day landing. He was driving a tank when it hit a land mine which killed him on Wednesday the 8^th of November 1944. He was 25 years old and is buried in the Bergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery, Netherlands, grave 15.B.9.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- Brother; Sister; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, December 1944.

John Bernard Bolton

Private 3529726 1^st Battalion Manchester Regiment

John was born on the 13^th of October 1917 the son of George and Edith Bolton (nee Winstanley), and was baptised on the 14^th of October 1917 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church.

The family lived in a house opposite the George and Dragon on Main Street.

John was called up into the Army to join the Manchester Regiment and was serving in Thailand where he was taken prisoner by the Japanese. He died there on Wednesday the 16^th of June 1943 aged 25 years. His parents only found out that he had died near the end of the War. John is buried in the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand, grave 2.M.38. The cemetery is only a short distance from the site of the former “Kanburi” prisoner-of-war base camp, through which passed most of the prisoners on their way to the other camps, and is the largest of the three cemeteries (two in Thailand and one in Burma) on the notorious Burma-Siam railway.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; St. Mary’s Parish Notice Book, 27^th of May 1945.

Harold Dennett

Private 3195298 6^th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment

Harold was born on the 15^th of August 1925 the son of Jesse Herbert and Jane Dennett of 9 Beacon Lane, Billinge, and was baptised on the 19^th of September 1915 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church.

Harold was called up and joined the Lincolnshire Regiment and was fighting in North Africa as one of the “Dessert Rats” on the final drive to Tunis when he was killed in action on Thursday the 22^nd of April 1943. He was 27 years of age and left a wife Irene and children Keith, Allan and baby Jeffrey. Harold is buried in the Massicault War Cemetery, near Tunis, grave VI.D.9.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 6/23.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Wigan Observer, 22^nd of April 1944; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, November 1943.

James Gerard Foster

Lance Corporal 3852794 1^st Battalion The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)

James was born on the 9^th of April 1910 the son of Francis and Ann Foster (nee Mather), and was baptised on the 10^th 0f April 1910 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. He had a younger sister Mary born on the 9^th of December 1911 also baptised at St. Mary’s Church. He attended St. Mary’s school and was the biggest boy in the school.

James married Monica Lawrenson on the 8^th of August 1938 in St. Mary’s Church. They lived in one of the two stone cottages near the Masons Arms, later moving to 125 Princess Avenue, Windlehurst, St Helens.

James joined the Territorials before the war, and was called up soon after war was declared. He was fighting a rearguard action at Brugge to cover the evacuation of Dunkirk, and whilst taking cover in a building it collapsed on top of him, killing him instantly on Saturday the 1^st of June 1940, and he was 30 years old.

His name is recorded on the St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the Dunkirk Memorial, Dunkirk Town Cemetery, column 95.

Sources:- Brother-in-law; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers.

John Thomas Foster

Lance Corporal 3968947 1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment (formally Lance Corporal

2/5^th Battalion Welsh Regiment)

Tommy was born on the 15^th of November 1915 the son of Thomas and Annie Foster of 168 Main Street, Billinge, and was baptised on the 16^th of January 1916 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He attended St. Aidan’s school. The family moved to 41 Holt Crescent and Tommy worked as a gardener at Rainford Hall before being called up in April 1940 to join the Welsh Regiment. While on leave he married Violet Minnie Unsworth of 33 Cansfield Grove, Ashton-in-Makerfield at St. Peter’s C.E. Church on the 15^th of June 1940.

He was transferred from the Welsh to the Dorsetshire Regiment, and about five weeks later in N.W. Europe a mortar landed in the trench that he was in. He was brought out by two stretcher bearers, but died shortly after on Saturday the 9^th of September 1944.

Tommy is buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp, Belgium, grave II.C.18. He was 28 years old.

His widow received his medals:- 1939-1945 Star

France and Germany Star

1939-1945 Defence Medal

1939-1945 War Medal

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- Widow; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, October 1944; The Wigan Observer, 30^th of September 1944; The Wigan Examiner, 3^rd of October 1944; The St. Helens Newspaper, 29^th of September 1944.

Harold Gee

Corporal 3864592 The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) and No. 2 Commando

Harold was born on the 25^th of July 1920 the son of James and Jane Gee of 2 School Brow, Billinge, and was baptised on the 29^th of August 1920 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He was a member of St. Aidan’s Young Men’s Class and worked at the Ravenhead Brick Works, St. Helens before being called up in August 1940 to join The Loyal Regiment.

While serving in The Loyal Regiment Harold joined the Commandos which was recruited with volunteers from the Corps and Regiments to form a highly trained force to raid the enemy held coasts. The No. 2 Commandos were formed in the summer of 1940, and later in the War served in Sicily, Italy and Yugoslavia where Harold died of wounds on Tuesday the 10^th of October 1944. He was 24 tears old and was buried in Albania but his grave is now lost.

His name is recorded on the Tirana Park Memorial Cemetery, Albania and on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, November 1944; The Wigan Observer, 4^th of November 1944.

George Heslop

Able Seaman D/JX 369179 H.M.S. “Kite” Royal Navy

George was born on the 24^th of September 1924 the son of Joseph and Sarah Ellen Heslop of Blackleyhurst, and was baptised on the 26^th of October 1924 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. The family later moved to Crosby and George joined the Royal Navy, serving as an Able Seaman on board H.M.S. Kite.

The ship was a “Black Swan” class sloop built at Cammell Lairds and was used as an antisubmarine escort to the North Atlantic convoys. Russian convoy JW59 set out from Loch Ewe on the 15^th of August 1944 with 33 merchant ships and with a heavy escort including escort carriers “Striker” and “Vindex” and escort groups 20^th and 22^nd. “Kite” was in the 22^nd Group. The aim of the heavy escort was to guard the convoy and also to search out and attack the pocket battleship “Terpitz”, which was attacked three times between the 22^nd and the 29^th of August. On Monday the 21^st of August 1944 the 1 350 ton ship H.M.S. “Kite” was sunk by a torpedo from submarine U344 in the Greenland Sea S.W. of Bear Island. Out of a crew of 192 only 9 survived. George was one of the casualties, he was 19 years of age. The submarine U344 was sunk three days later by British ships.

George’s name is recorded on the Plymouth Memorial, panel 8b column 2, and also on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 9/153.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of sailors killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers.

William Hewitt

Private 14234845 1^st Battalion Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment

William was born on the 30^th of December 1923 the son of William and Ann Hewitt of 43 Moss Road, Billinge Higher End, and was baptised on the 25^th of February 1924 at Bispham Methodist Church. William was the fourth of five children; Bessie, Margaret, Annie, William and Hilda, and he worked at the Ross Works shoe factory at Pemberton before being called up to join the Duke of Wellington Regiment.

William and had been serving abroad in Italy since April 1944 where he was killed in action on Tuesday the 12^th of September 1944. He was 20 years old and is buried in the Florence War Cemetery, Italy, grave IV.G.11.

His name is recorded on St. Luks’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the Ross Shoe Factory Memorial situated at the back of St. Matthew’s C.E. Church, Highfield, Pemberton.

Sources:- Sister; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Wigan Examiner, 11^th of November 1944; The Wigan Observer, 7^th of November 1944; Bispham Methodist Church Registers.

Henry Heyes

Lance Corporal T/107863 Royal Army Service Corps

Harry was born on the 22^nd of December 1919 the son of George and Alice Heyes of 182 Main Street, Billinge, and was baptised on the 25^th of January 1920 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He attended St. Aidan’s School and Upholland Grammar School. Harry ran his own coal delivery business before being called up and joining the Royal Army Service Corps.

Harry was fighting in North Africa, and at the evacuation of Tobruk while he was on board a ship, he volunteered to go back to blow-up the installations and was captured. He was taken as a prisoner to Italy where he escaped and was re-captured, escaped again and was shot on Monday the 8^th of February 1943. He was 23 years old and is buried in the Ancona War Cemetery, Italy, grave 11.G.2.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- Cousin; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, April 1943.

Bernard Ralph Higham

Sergeant 3714069 1^st Wing Glider Pilot Regiment Army Air Corps

Bernard was born on the 11^th of November 1919 the son of John Joseph and Florence Brigham Higham (nee Bowes) of 160 Boundry Road, St. Helens, and was baptised on the 16^th of November 1919 at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, St. Helens. John Joseph was a dentist. Bernard went to West Park R.C. Grammar School, and the family moved to Billinge shortly before the war living at Little Houghwood in Red Barn Lane, Billinge.

Bernard served in the Glider Pilot Regiment, which was an army regiment formed by volunteers in January 1942 to transport airborne forces, and consisted of R.A.F. trained pilots who when landed fought as soldiers.He was reported missing and later killed in a raid on Arnhem, Netherlands on Monday the 25^th of September 1944. He was 25 years old and is buried in the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands, grave 3.A.14. His brother Philip Geoffrey who was in the R.A.F. was killed about a year before.

His name is recorded on the West Park Old Boys Memorial (now situated in the De La Salle High School, St. Helens), St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial, St. Helens Cenotaph and on the family grave headstone in St. Mary’s R.C. Churchyard, grave 1/1D.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Sacred Heart Church Registers; St. Mary’s Church Notice Book, 15^th of October 1944 and 7^th of October 1945.

Philip Geoffrey Higham

Sergeant 1132896 104 Squadron Bomber Command Royal Air Force

(Volunteer Reserve)

Philip was born on the 18^th of July 1922 the son of John Joseph and Florence Brigham Higham (nee Bowes) of 160 Boundry Road, St. Helens, and was baptised on the 23^rd of July 1922 at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, St. Helens. John Joseph was a dentist.

Philip went to West Park R.C. Grammar School, and the family moved to Billinge shortly before the was living at Little Houghwood in Red Barn Lane.

Philip served in 104 Squadron which flew Wellington Bombers, and early in 1942 most of the squadron was posted to the Middle East. He was reported missing and later killed in a raid on Italy on Saturday the 30^th of October 1943, he was 21 years of age and is buried in the Bolsena War Cemetery, Italy, collective grave 1.B.7.His brother Bernard Ralph who was in the Glider Pilot Regiment was killed about a year later.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of airmen killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Sacred Heart Church Registers; St. Mary’s Church Notice Book, 29^th of May 1944.

John Charles Hurst

Sergeant-Pilot 745671 Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve)

John was born on the 17^th of March 1920 the only son of Ernest and Edith Hurst of 65 Delph Street, Wigan, and was baptised on the 18^th of April 1920 at Wigan Parish Church (All Saints). The late Mr. Hurst was a member of the teaching staff of St. James Road School, Orrell. John was an old boy of Wigan Grammar School and he had been studying to become an optician when he decided to join the R.A.F. in July 1939.

He had just passed out as a pilot when he was tragically killed in a flying accident on Monday the 30^th of September 1040. He was 20 years old and was buried in St. Aidan’s C.E. Churchyard with full military honours on Thursday the 30^th of October 1940. War grave 8/21 next to the family grave.

His name is recorded on the Wigan Cenotaph.

Sources:- The Wigan Examiner, 5^th of October 1940; The Wigan Observer, 5^th of October 1940; Wigan Parish Church Registers.

John Leyland

Corporal 3383508 1^st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

Jack was the son of Paul and Mary Jane Leyland of 439 Wigan Road, Bryn, and he was in the Army when he married Mary Ellen Gee of 27 Holt Avenue at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church on the 29^th of July 1939. They lived with Mary’s family at 27 Holt Avenue and they had one child Helen Margaret, born on the 23^rd of April 1940 and baptised on the 9^th of June 1940 in St. Aidan’s C.E. Church.

Jack was an Army reservist, having served four years in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and was recalled at the outbreak of the war to join the East Lancashire Regiment. He was in the evacuation of Dunkirk, and while later serving in Normandy he was killed by accident on Monday the 10^th of July 1944. He was 33 years old and is buried in the Brouay War Cemetery, Caloados, France, grave 111.G.10.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The St. Helens Reporter, 8^th of September 1944; The Wigan Examiner, 26^th of August 1944; The Wigan Observer, 19^th of August 1944.

George Littler

Guardsman 2662307 3^rd Battalion Coldstream Guards

George was born on the 22^nd of June 1920 the son of Henry and Mary Littler (nee Bennett) of 80 Prescott Street, Wigan, and was baptised on the 11^th of July 1920 at Wigan Parish Church (All Saints). His father was a collier. The family came to live at 26 Longshaw Common and George who attended St. Aidan’s school was the eldest of four children; George, Eva, Harry and Jacky.

He worked at the Co-op in Billinge making deliveries with a cart before being called up to join the 3^rd Battalion of the Coldstream Guards. George was very musical and played a guitar and while in the Army frequently played a mouth organ. He was killed in action in Italy on Sunday the 23^rd of January 1944 aged 23 years, and is buried in Minturno War Cemetery, Italy, grave IV.B.8.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- Brother; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Wigan Parish Church Registers; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, March 1944; Mr. Cheetham.

John Thomas Nicholson

Private 14209590 2^nd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment (previously Manchester Regiment)

Jack was born on the 26^th of August 1921 the son of Ernest and Nellie Nicholson of 64 UpHolland Road, (now re-numbered 70) Billinge, and was baptised on the 16^th of October 1921 at St. Aidan’s C.E. Church. He attended St. Aidan’s school and was the eldest of four children; Jack, Bella, Irene and Harold. He liked boxing and used to practice with his mates; Irvine Nicholson, Jack Dillon (who also served in the forces), Jim Dawber, Jimmy Smith and Dick Roby. Jack was an apprentice bricklayer serving his time with James Gaskell and worked in Billinge and in Liverpool on bombed buildings. Because of his apprenticeship he was not called up until he was 21 years old, joining the Manchester Regiment and later transferring to the Monmouth Regiment.

While serving in the Monmouthshire Regiment in France he was killed in action on Tuesday the 15^th of August 1944. John was 22 years old and is buried in the Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, Calvados, France, grave VIII.E.8.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources: Sister; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, September 1944; St. Aidan’s Church Registers.

Norman James Parkinson

Private 13076347 240 Company Pioneer Corps

Norman was born on the 28^th of August 1909 the son of John and Ann Parkinson, (nee Chisnall), and was baptised on the 5^th of September 1909 in St. James’ R.C. Church, Orrell. His father died and his mother re-married Samuel Parry in 1914. His mother died in 1932 and is buried in St. Mary’s R.C. Churchyard.

Norman was called up and joined the Pioneer Corps. He died on Monday the 24^th of January 1944 aged 34 years and was buried with his mother on Saturday the 29^th of January 1944 in the family grave in St. Mary’s R.C. Churchyard, grave 4/64.

His name is recorded on the grave headstone.

Sources:- St. James’ Church Registers; St. Mary’s Burial Register.

Jack Pennington

Sergeant 1040748 Wireless Operator/Air Gunner Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve)

Jack was born on the 12^th of August 1920 the son of William and Margaret Pennington of 258 Upholland Road, Billinge Higher End, and was baptised on the 30^th of August 1920 at Bispham Methodist Church, Billinge. He lived with his wife Lilian at “Lyndene”, Smethurst Road, Billinge Higher End and was a member of Bispham Methodist Church. Before joining the Royal Air Force he worked at Bispham Hall Brick and Terra Cotta Company at Orrell.

He had been in the R.A.F. for two years when he was killed on active service on Thursday the 16^th of December 1943. He was 23 years old and was buried with military honours on Thursday the 30^th of December 1943 at St. Luke’s C.E. Churchyard, Orrell, grave 116.

His name is recorded on St. Luke’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Wigan Observer, 1^st & 8^th of January 1944; The Wigan Examiner, 11^th of January 1944; Bispham Methodist Church Registers.

Jack Ratcliffe

Sergeant 2209639 57 Squadron Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve)

Jack was born on the 10^th of December 1923 the son of James and May Ratcliffe (nee Parr) of 17 Beacon Lane, Billinge, and was baptised on the 11^th of January 1924 at Chapel End Wesleyan Methodist Church, Billinge.

Jack was the eldest of seven children, five boys and two girls. The family moved to 45 Rainford Road and before being called up in 1942 Jack worked as second man on a lorry for Robinsons Transport, Red Cat, Crank. He joined the Royal Air Force, Bomber Command and was in the 57^th Squadron stationed at East Kirkby, Lincolnshire.

Jack was an air gunner in a Lancaster Bomber (top gun position) and was reported missing and later killed in action. His plane was shot down after a raid over Wesseling, Germany on Thursday the 22^nd of June 1944. Only one member of the crew survived after bailing out and the plane crashed in the Netherlands. Jack was only 19 years of age.

He is buried in Bergan-Op-Zoom War Cemetery, Netherlands, collective grave 24.A.1.

His parents received his medals:- Air Crew Europe Star

1939-1945 Star

1939-1945 War Medal

Jack’s name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church and the Methodist Church Memorials.

Sources:- Sister; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of airmen killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, September 1944; Wesleyan Methodist Church Registers.

Herbert Summers

Driver 2366991 Royal Corps of Signals

Bert was born in 1905 the son of James and Margaret Jane Summers and the husband of Lily Summers of Billinge.

He was called up and joined the Royal Corps of Signals serving in Greece where he was killed on Monday the 18^th of December 1944, aged 39 years.

Bert is buried in the Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece, grave 10.C.15.

His name is recorded on St. Luke’s C.E. Church Memorial.

Sources:- St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Horace James Walker

Private 3859564 2^nd Battalion The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)

Horace was born in 1917 the son of Reginald Arthur and Stella Walker (nee Mackenzie) of Billinge. He had two brothers and three sisters and worked as a butcher at Baxters shop, Upholland before being called up and joining the 2^nd Battalion of The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire).

Horace was a prisoner of the Japanese in Thailand where he died on Saturday the 5^th of June 1943. He was 26 years old, and was buried in the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand, grave 9.M.4, his name is also on the War Cemetery memorial panels. The Cemetery is only a short distance from the site of the former “Kanburi” prisoner of war base camp, through which passed most of the prisoners on their way to the other camps, and is the largest of the three war cemeteries (two in Thailand and one in Burma) on the notorious Burma-Siam railway.

His name is recorded on St. Luke’s C.E. Church Memorial and because he was a member of the bible class it is on the sundial outside the Church.

Sources:- Sister-in-law; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second World War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Arthur Cyril White

Pilot Officer (observer) 11523 26 Operational Training Unit Royal Air Force

(Volunteer Reserve)

Cyril was born on the 27^th of August 1918 at St. James’ Vicarage the son of Rev. Arthur and Elizabeth White, and was baptised on the 15^th of September 1918 at St. James’ C.E. Church, Poolstock, Wigan. His father was Vicar of St. Aidan’s from 1935 to 1949 and he was also Arch Deacon of Warrington 1948-1958. Cyril who drove a red MG sports car was studying theology at Oxford but left to join the R.A.F.

He was stationed at number 27 O.T.U. from where two crews were sent to No. 26 O.T.U. Wing, Buckinghamshire to man two spare Wellington bombers for the thousand-bomber raid on Cologne. Cyril was the youngest member and the only commissioned man in the crew. He was the front gunner and bomb aimer. His plane (O for orange) was the first to take off from Gravely, an unfinished airfield, their target being Cologne railway station. After Cyril had released the bombs he returned to the front gut turret and shortly afterwards the plane was attacked from both the front and back by fighter planes. All the crew except the pilot Fred Hillyer was killed, and the pilot had to bale out over the Netherlands, where he was captured and taken prisoner. It was Sunday the 31^st of May 1942. Cyril was 23 years old and is buried in the Uden War Cemetery, Netherlands, grave 4.A.6.

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial, and on the family grave headstone in St. Aidan’s Churchyard, grave 13/15.

Sources:- Miss Betty Wright; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Aidan’s Parish Magazine, July 1944; The Thousand Plan-The Story of the First Thousand Bomber Raid on Cologne, by Ralph Barker, Airlife Publishing 1992, P. 99;101;187-9.

James Wilson

Private 4393416 6^th Battalion Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment)

James was born on the 10^th of June 1917 the son of William and Ellen Wilson of 19 Fair View, Billinge, and was baptised on the 17^th of June 1917 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church. He had two brothers and one sister.

The family moved to 22 Fair View and James worked at the Co-op shop in Billinge before being called up and joining the 6^th Battalion of the Green Howard Regiment. James was one of the “Desert Rats” who fought in North Africa, where he was killed in action on Tuesday the 6^th of April 1943. He was 25 years old.

He is buried in Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia, grave V.E.28.

His parents received his medals:- African Star

1939-1945 Star

1939-1945 War Medal

His name is recorded on St. Aidan’s C.E. Church Memorial and on the family grave headstone in St. Mary’s R.C. Churchyard, grave 1/62.

Sources:- Sister-in-law; St. Helens Local History Library, Index of soldiers killed in the Second world War; The Commonwealth War Graves Commission; St. Mary’s Church Registers; St. Mary’s Church Notice Book, 25^th April 1943.