The frontispiece for this Issue of Despatch, which marks the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice, is a mixture of old and new. The photo, which resides in the ’s archives (Q.47.894), is the scene outside Buckingham Palace on Armistice Day. The background is a recent piece of work by local artist Mrs Kerry Hennessy. Whilst the newspaper headline is a combination of old and new being from the Times of 12th November 1918 produced from the Times on Line Archive. Overleaf is a copy of the evocative “At Westminster” article from the Times. 2 (+P) Denotes photos, maps in Photo Gallery on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk In reading this second Issue please billeted in Sevenoaks, Kent. Following held up while a successful withdrawal consider how Despatch can be improved spells in Oxted and Bedford, where they was achieved under the cover of in 2009 so we can have a healthy joined the 51st Highland Division, the darkness and early morning mist. discussion at our Christmas Social on 3rd battalion left Southampton for France Although the action turned out to be a December. aboard the SS “Onward” on May 2nd costly failure, great praise was due for 1915. They had their first taste of front the courage displayed during the “BATTLING” PYE’S LAST FIGHT: Mike line duty at Rue d’Ouvert near Festubert advance. Sgt Major Lindsay, from Sherrington (+P) on May 25th and suffered their first Preston was quoted in the immediate casualties the following day. The aftermath in the “Lancashire Daily Post”: Pte Alfred Pye [2577] was a Preston trenches they occupied were only two flyweight whose skill and courage in the feet deep and the area was littered with “We have been through hell and back. It ring earned him the nickname “Battling” equipment and bodies from earlier was terrible. We have 400 men not yet Pye. A cotton spinner by trade, he lived fighting. accounted for. Nearly everyone seems a with his parents first in Cambridge Street On 8th June Alf Pye wrote home that Chairman Stan’s Spot bit ‘potty’ at present, though I expect they and later Cromwell St, Deepdale and he was in the pink in spite of 7 days in After the success of the first copy of will shake it off as they get more rest. learned his boxing at the nearby Adelphi the trenches under very heavy shellfire. the Despatch I now welcome Issue No 2. There will be some aching hearts in hall in Springfield Street. Well known in His letter concluded “Very sorry to hear It is with the enthusiasm of our editor northern boxing circles, he was widely that there is not much boxing going on in Preston over this.” Terry Dean that it has come to fruition regarded as a promising fighter who had Preston, I wish I was back at my old It eventually emerged that 431 and the submissions of you the quickly established himself as a firm game, for it seems such a long time since casualties had been taken: members. favourite with the fans. His first fight took I had my boxing gloves on.” - 4 officers & 19 other ranks killed or In this the 90th Anniversary of the place in January 1913 and by the Just over a week later his battalion died of wounds ending of the war to end all wars the outbreak of war he had chalked up a saw its first major action: An attack was - 6 officers & 255 other ranks publication of our Branch’s magazine record of 15 victories and 2 draws with planned on enemy trenches in front of wounded contributes to ensure that even after all only 5 defeats. the hamlet of Rue d’Ouvert and although - 2 officers & 145 other ranks missing. this time our “remembrance” is still as Involvement in boxing broadened the no orders had been issued, according to Pte Alfred Pye died on June 17th 1915 strong now as then. horizons of both Alf and his brother Capt. Lindsay’s diary the men sensed from bayonet wounds received during I hope you enjoy the Issue 2 and George, who accompanied him to they would soon go over the top. A day this failed attack. Treated at Lillers continue to contribute any articles contests outside Preston, by giving them long bombardment intensified around hospital, he is buried in the communal however small. Terry is eager for input. their first experience of staying in hotels. 5.30 p.m. and the assault on the German cemetery there [II. C. 40] and is also

As working class lads, completely positions was launched at 6 p.m. The commemorated on the Harris Library Editor’s Musing unused to this kind of thing, they were first line was quickly taken with the memorial in Preston. Thus ended

both very taken with the idea of leaving occupants of the dugouts bombed out. “Battling” Pye’s last fight; he was only 20 My gathering of material for this Issue their boots outside the room and finding Pushing on to the main enemy trench line years old. Like so many other boxers, of Despatch was clouded by anticipation they were returned cleaned and polished proved more difficult with uncut wire, rifle who knows what he might have of the Armistice Prize outcome (see the following morning. As his stock rose, and shellfire and enfilading machine achieved, but for the war? His parents Branch Affairs). However St Cecilia’s, Alf had a publicity photograph taken guns to contend with from a house and therefore must have viewed with mixed Longridge have shown what schools can showing him resplendent in boxing kit, south of a ditch shielded by a row of feelings the appearance in the local do in producing an excellent poem to set off with a white sash, but trees. The third line was reached and newspaper of a large recruiting help mark the Armistice Anniversary. I’m unfortunately it has proved impossible to held for some time; an eye-witness advertisement for the Loyal North pleased we can also mark the locate a copy. The war however, was to claimed 20 men got there without officers , making capital of Anniversary with a larger Despatch mark the end of “Battling” Pye’s or NCOs before running out of bombs the recent action, just a week after his helped by my subscriptions to the blossoming career in the ring. and being cleared out. As a result an death. Institution of Civil Engineers over more He joined the Territorials in November order was given to dig in and hold onto years than I care to recall (!) and, more 1914 and as a member of the 1st/4th the ditch shielded by trees. The enemy importantly, to all contributors. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment was counter-attacked at midnight, but were 3 (+P) Denotes photos, maps in Photo Gallery on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk 4 (+S) Denotes supplementary information etc on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk It is a poignant testimony to the sacrifice Here the Division held position, the Young Men’s Christian Association made by the old pupils of Queen attempting to clear the trenches, and (Y.M.C.A.), providing welfare services to Elizabeth Grammar School during the waiting for the 46th North Midland the men. Entertainment, recreation and First World War that the very first name Division to join up with them. The link up leisure amenities offered by the group listed on the memorial is associated in never occurred, and it was during the helped to sustain military morale, which one of the most infamous battles of the fighting in these trenches that Airey lost was undoubtedly of great value. A conflict: The Somme. Thomas Arthur his life. A letter from his platoon sergeant chance encounter in July 1915 certainly Airey, a hard-working QES scholar, who to Airey’s mother described what lifted the sprits of one soldier: had won a place at Christ Collage, happened to him: “We are very busy. I have been on He was last seen in the German line Cambridge, found himself embroiled in from 6:00 am to 8:30 without a break for st laying by the side of Corporal Briggs, my action at Gommecourt on the 1 July “Dear Madam, meals for 3 days. We have now got best pal. 1916. I am very, very sorry to tell you that patients in and operations are an every The attack here was to be a diversion, You will be pleased to knowst. that he your son was killed in action on July 1 day occurrence. Everything is kept in the aimed to draw fire from the main Somme died fighting against tremendous odds, cleanest condition. I had the greatest battlefield. At ‘Zero Hour’, 7:30 A.M., being killed by a German bomb whilst Airey advanced across no-mans land surprise last night. I went down to the proceeding along the enemy front line with the 14th (County of London) Y.M.C.A. and who should be the first trench. Battalion (1st London Scottish), which person I ran into but A. Airey. He has th As platoon sergeant and a friend of Above is a photo of “Battling” Pye’s grave was part of the 56 London Division, and come on the staff of the Y.M.C.A. here. your son I should like to offer you my taken late last month. The note on poppy despite the developing disaster occurring He was surprised. He has been here a deepest sympathy. refers to this article. across the rest of the front, his Battalion week now…He looks a perfect brick. I made it to their objectives of the German I am, yours sincerely, Harry Bell” (Private A. Robinson, shall be able to enjoy myself now with QUEEN ELIZABETH GRAMMAR Front line trenches. In fact what the Royal Army Medical Corps (R.A.M.C.)) some Barbon here” SCHOOL, ROLL OF HONOUR: c/o London Division achieved within the first Oliver Wilkinson (+S) hour is regarded as one of the successes Robinson was in fact a fellow QES old of the Somme. The Division was boy, and he too appears on the war Oliver Wilkinson’s tribute to the fallen of regarded as the best Territorial formation The London Division held on memorial. Unlike Airey, however, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School will in France at the time, and the soldiers throughout the day, but was gradually Robinson was to survive the war. provide a serious contribution to that formed it were well-educated, forced back and eventually retired. The Patriotic fervour proved too great a pull Despatch over the next nine issues. Aintelligent men, who were earmarked to men had done what had been asked of for Airey who wrote in his diary, “I cannot become officers in other divisions. This them. The diversion had been continue with the Y.M.C.A. if I can get former pupil of the school himself, Oliver was certainly true of Airey. His QES successful, the German frontline into the trenches. It was this impulse that completed the research in May 2008 as education had stood him in good stead, trenches secured, and an attempted link led him to enlist, and before Gommecourt part of his MA in Historical Research , andthe he was about to take his Theological up made with the other division. The in July 1916 he made the ultimate individual accounts being designedTripos to at Cambridge when the war had cost, however, was great, and Airey’s sacrifice. Airey’s body was never contribute to Queen Elizabeth School’serupted. Moreover, when he had joined battalion had suffered immensely. Out of recovered, and he is remembered on the rich heritage as well as providing currentup in January 1916, it was with the a force of 971 men, 616 were casualties, Thiepval Memorial. students with a more personal Artists’insight Rifles Officer Training Corps. He Airey amongst them. The London into the war. Individually the accountswas clearly officer material, and it was Scottish Medal Roll Sheet seems only his eagerness to serve in the front painfully telling with its stark dates demonstrate the grim outcomes and line that had compelled him to volunteer relating to Airey. Served 05/03/1916 – fortunes of the Western Front.. for Foreign Service in France, and then 01/07/1916. He lasted just 4 months. Thomas ArthurCollectively Airey, Private, they8109, 14illustrateth transfer theto the 1st London Scottish in However, Airey had in fact been (County of London)multifaceted Battalion nature (1st London of the war. June without a commission. It was thus involved in the First World War prior to Scottish) as a Private soldier that Airey found his military service. In spring 1915 he himself in the German front line trenches. had volunteered to work in France with (+P) Denotes photos, maps in Photo Gallery on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk 5 6 (+S) Denotes supplementary information etc on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk THE WORK OF THE ROYAL many cases their manufacture; and by no reconstruction of certain bridges. Our ENGINEERS IN THE GREAT WAR: means least:- Total strength:- force was a comparatively small one, and March 1920 with the permission of the Maj-Gen. Sir Gerard Moore Heath Fighting, when fighting came their way. Officers 205 the railways and roads were almost Institution of Civil Engineers. It will be realised that a vast Other Ranks 6348 entirely run by the French. This(www.iceknowledge.com) article has been reproduced from organisation to deal with the work thrown Before the end of 1914 we had settled th the Minutes and Proceedings for the 9 on the Royal Engineers in the course of Our need soon became apparent. The down to , and muddy and the war, was not produced cut and dried: companies were increased to three per uncomfortable trench warfare too. indeed, it may be said with truth that our division, and other units were added until In those days engineer stores were pre-war military advisers as a whole had by the time the Armistice was signed, sadly lacking, but luckily the towns and little conception of the scale on which 11th November 1918, the strength of the villages of France could meet most of the The work of the Royal Engineers in the modern engineering methods would be Royal Engineers was, including more urgent demands. Luckily, also we late War fully exemplified the motto of the employed in a great European war: of the transportation:- had officers who were not afraid of Corps: large number of engineers necessary; or financial responsibility, whose first “Quo fas et gloria ducunt” of the enormous amount of engineering Field etc 686 units thought was for the comfort of the troops, Not only did they carry out all the work material required, not only for the Signals 664 ,, who saw things in a large way, and were which normally falls to the duty of the strategic and tactical operations involved, Railways and roads 283 ,, determined not to be trammelled by the Engineers, but also a considerable but also for the maintenance of that Inland waterways & docks 204 ,, somewhat narrow limits of peace time portion of other duties, which, though standard of comfort for the troops which Total 1837 finance. Waste there was, but waste is having little connection with the engineer meant moral and physical efficiency. inseparable from war. science, they have always been proud to The criticisms of the various semi-official Total strength (inc. transportation):- 1915 saw an era of trench warfare, of father and call their own. visitors to the theatres of war as to the Officers 17741 mining and counter-mining, the blowing The following is a summary:- greed of the Engineers of all branches in Other Ranks 322739 up of and endless other smaller Defences of all sorts, including mining the matter of engineer requirements were Our territorial units were the saving of mines, the battles of Neuve Chapelle and and counter-mining (now know based on similar imperfect knowledge. us in the early phases of the war. Their Loos. colloquially as tunnelling), consolidation Still, when all is said and done, we may N.C.Os, and men were recruited from the The troops in the front line had had to of ground won in attack, camouflage, console ourselves with the fact that the best artisan classes, and were full of endure much hardship in the winter of searchlights, obstacles. E.g. inundations, enemy was no better off, and that the keenness for work. We were, it is true, 1914-15, chiefly from water-logged demolitions, anti-gas measures. national capacity for playing up together somewhat deficient in Engineer Officers trenches, want of cover from enemy fire Attack, including mine attack, and gas and muddling through – another name for who had specialized in the various and from the weather. Cases of trench- attack. improvisation – brought the Engineers branches of civil engineering; but thanks feet were very numerous, but in this year Communications, incl. railways, through with considerable credit to all to The Institution of Civil Engineers, on serious attempts were made to lower the canals, and their operation, roads, ranks. the initiative, I believe, of Major-General water-level in the trench area, and thus bridge-building. We began as all the world knows, with Ruck, this deficiency was largely made obtain more comfort and cover for the Signals, inc. telegraph, telephone, an Expeditionary Force of six Divisions. good and there was no lack of troops. To this end a commission was visual, wireless, pigeons, messenger The total Engineer force sent across with volunteers. Men from all parts of the sent out by The Institution of Civil dogs, and messenger rockets. the Expeditionary Force was:- world proffered their services; many Engineers headed by Sir Maurice Water-supply, inc. water purification. Divisional Headquarters 6 units threw up thriving and lucrative Fitzmaurice, with whom was associated Hutting (inc. hospitals and depots of all Signal Units 35 ,, businesses, and crossed to the old Captain H. Riall Sankey. As a result of kinds), electric power and lighting, Field Companies 12 ,, country determined to serve, if not as their recommendation several large engineer workshops, forestry, docks and Field squadrons & troops 2 ,, officers, then in the lowest ranks. pumping-stations were established, their their maintenance, geology, meteorology, Fortress and works Coys 3 ,, The retreat from Mons and the function being to dispose of the water post office, and supply and distribution of Railway Coys 2 ,, subsequent advance to the Aisne, and brought down from the neighbourhood of plant and materials in furtherance of the Total 60 ,, thence to and its trenches, offered the trenches by a system of carefully above multifarious demands, and in little scope for engineers, except notably graded drains. Most of these drains were the destruction and subsequent existing ones, and in peace time have by 7 QUO FAS ET GLORIA DECUNT - Where Right and Glory Lead 8 WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS LIBERTY – Pte Cheesman Can Inf law to be kept in order by the farmers, internet auction website ‘Ebay’. Sadly the the outskirts of Bury, the County but neglect due to the war had reduced Defences and Preparations for Attack museum was outbid, but was very Headquarters, the Recruiting Team, the their efficiency to almost nil. …….. to be continued in May ‘09 fortunate in that the seller of the postcard Regimental Memorial as well as the In 1915 two Land Drainage kindly sent the museum a high quality Museum, Archive and Library are all Companies were formed, consisting of digital copy of the image. included in the move. The “battle fen-men from the eastern counties and MUSEUM REPORTS The postcard shows senior non- procedure” has begun and the Museum mechanics. This combination of skilled commissioned officers of the 1st/4th at Wellington Barracks is now closed to men was a happy one, and very good The King’s Own Royal Regiment (Territorial) Battalion of the King’s Own in the public. results ensued, especially due to the Museum, Lancaster: Peter Donnelly France or Flanders in May 1918. It is For all those involved in the project it skilful grading of drains after careful believed all those featured have been has been difficult to come to terms with survey. Noteworthy among the pumps 90th Anniversary of the Armistice matched with museum records, and the prospect of a final move out of were two pumps fitted on barges which To mark the 90th Anniversary of the include: Sergeant Frank Dawson, MM, Wellington Barracks, after all the had been brought out from in ending of the First World War the from Stockport; Sergeant George Regiment has been associated with the the early days of the war, with a view to museum is pleased to welcome Dr. Jean Johnson DCM and Bar; QMS Fred site since 1873. However the site is no pumping sea-water into inundations near Moorcroft-Wilson to talk on the life of Stanley Yates DCM; Sergeant H longer fit for purpose and the future of the the coast, thus protecting our flank there. poet, painter and soldier, Isaac Dickinson, DCM and MM; Sergeant Regiment and the Collection depends on These pumps were used to lower the Rosenberg. Wilson’s biography of Thomas Robinson, MM, from Coniston; this move. The original plan to move level of the La Bassee Canal and thus Rosenberg was published in April and is Sergeant Albert Ernest Miles, MM, from from Wellington Barracks into Bury was give the necessary head to the drainage due to be published in paperback in ; Sergeant Richard Cross; and abandoned in 1958 due to lack of scheme. 2009. The talk will take place on Friday Sergeant Arthur Bolton Birkett, MM, from funding. In 1958 it would have cost It may be noted here that by a happy 7th November 2008 at 7.30pm, in the fine York. £30,000 in 2008 £4million! idea the greater part of the Land setting of the King’s Own Regimental The image has been added to the 4th The Museum will relocate to a Drainage Companies resolved itself, Chapel at Lancaster Priory. Tickets cost Battalion photo gallery section of the refurbished building in the centre of during the summer, into a Water Supply only £4. Jean has already spoken on museum’s website: Bury’s developing Cultural Quarter where Company doing very good work. Rosenberg and other First World War www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com it will be integrated into the public 1916 and 1917 were characterized by subjects at the National Army Museum, transport network and closely linked with the big offensives of the Somme, Arras, Imperial War Museum and on Radio 4 so Fusilier Museum - A New Beginning: Bury’s other heritage sites and Vimy, Messines, and Passchendaele, for it is fantastic that she is supporting our Mike Glover (Curator) museums. The Grade 2 Listed Building all of which a vast amount of preparatory commemoration of the Armistice. was built in 1894 as the Technical engineer work was necessary. Tickets from The City Museum, Sunday 26th April 2009 in Bury will not School, later became the Arts & Crafts The spring of 1918 witnessed our Lancaster or by phone 01524 555619 only witness the annual Gallipoli Parade centre and the focus for Adult Education. retreat, and hasty demolition of bridges is New Exhibition to commemorate Lancashire Landing, Building work will be completed early in the face of the enemy, and many heroic A small exhibition has opened in the 25th April 1915, it will also see the the New Year and as soon as the deeds in this connection. In those days King’s Own gallery with a number of opening of the new £4million Fusilier builders are out the museum fit out team 5000 miles of trenches were dug under photographic portraits of WW1 soldiers of Museum. This new museum will tell the will move in. engineer supervision, while many miles the regiment along with some moving story of not only the Lancashire Fusiliers The new museum will house three of new road and railway, with necessary objects and archives. The exhibition is (LF) but also the Royal Regiment of galleries, an archive and library, an bridges, were constructed to link up our open now until spring 2009. Fusiliers (RRF). It is worth noting that education room with seating for 150, a defensive positions with back areas. The Expensive Postcard Missed but Image although the “LFs” left the “order of shop and a café/bar. The Regimental 8th of August marked the first day of the Acquired! battle” some 40 years ago their traditions Council Chamber in the County victory advance, which for the Engineers The King’s Own Museum has to be and spirit today thrive in the Royal Headquarters will be available for hire meant the rapid construction of careful when acquiring items that it does Regiment of Fusiliers who remain, and will be a fine location for a dinner communications of all sorts, of many not overspend! Every penny spent has to Lancashire’s Fusiliers. night. bridges, the organization of water-supply, be raised by the museum which is a Currently located at what remains of and the removal of enemy traps and registered charity. An interesting the old Depot at Wellington Barracks on mines. postcard appeared recently on the 10 QUO FAS ET GLORIA DECUNT - Where Right and Glory Lead 9 WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS LIBERTY – Pte Cheesman Can Inf Once the museum opens in April 2009 Museum had to vacate their premises at came to Britain as a child and was http://www.iwm.org.uk/upload/package/9 it is not the end of the process but the Botanic Road, Liverpool. Following engaged in the family business. Some 5/exhibitions/in-memoriam.html beginning. In particular the Trustees are notification of this possibility in March the time before the First World War he joined keen to make best use of the facilities at Trustees of the Museum had to consider the territorials in the King Edward's Private William Ratcliffe VC Captured the museum and want to develop all options for the future, establish the Horse, a mounted battalion of the German Machine Gun: Jane Davies intellectual and social links with other most desirable immediate arrangements . He married (Curator, QLR Museum) (+P) heritage groups such as the Western and undertake the packing of all items in Bessie Maude Holl in 1912 and they had Front Association. their possession. a daughter, Pauline, who was born on 20 On 14th June 1917 the 2nd Battalion The Trustees have acquired, for the July 1914. Captain May saw active South Lancashire Regiment entered the King’s Regiment medium term, the use of an office at New service in France with B Company of the Battle of Messines Ridge which had been Zealand House in Liverpool’s Water 22nd Battalion and was killed at the age raging for seven days. Orders had been The Museum of Liverpool Life, which Street, courtesy of the Duke of of 27 on the first day of the Battle of the received for them to advance to a new housed the Kings Regiment museum Lancaster’s Regiment, to hold the Somme. line between ‘inclusive the Ferme de la closed in June 2006 and since then only archive material (documents, photos, The Captain Charles May archive Croix to exclusive Steignast Farm, the limited information (Regimental History letters, library) and from which to deal forms part of the Manchester Regiment special task of the Battalion being to and War Diaries) has been available in with enquiries and visitors. Displays Archive and was kindly deposited by capture the former, and clear the left the Maritime Museum. Work on the new have been dismantled and all artefacts Captain May’s family. It comprises the bank of the River Douve’. Museum is now well advanced and it is have been boxed and placed in secure diaries of Captain May dating from At 7.30pm the attack commenced. due to open in 2010. It will be located in storage. It is felt that it may not be November 1915-July 1916, along with his The swiftness of the attack caught the a new landmark building on the Mann possible to re-establish a museum due to writings and literary works. There are Germans napping. Many of them were Island site at the Pier Head. potential problems with future also a number of personal items killed in their shell holes; in some cases It is currently planned that material maintenance therefore consideration is including letters, photographs and they were not even wearing their from the Kings Regiment Collection will currently being given to the optimum ephemera. The letters and diaries are equipment. Others were killed as they be displayed in 2011 as part of the arrangements for holding and displaying extremely moving and provide a personal tried to retire. The only stumbling block second phase of the project with a gallery the collection of artefacts. Possibilities insight into life on the front. A number of to the British advance were the German being devoted to WW1. When the include the King’s Regiment Galleries at items from the collection are currently on machine guns who resisted the attack museum is fully operational it is the new Museum of Liverpool (currently display at the Imperial War Museum as stoutly, from their position in the ruins of envisaged that archive material relating being built) for National Museums part of their In Memoriam exhibition. the nearby Farm. D Company were to the Kings Regiment will be co-located Liverpool, other institutions, or for the Included amongst these items is a letter allotted the task of driving out the with the curator and appointments will be Trustees to continue to hold artefacts in from Bessie, written on 30 June 1916, defenders. It was during this phase of necessary to view items. whole or part as a reserve collection. the day before he died. An excerpt from the battle that Private William Ratcliffe the letter reads “I am trusting in God and won the . Manchester Regiment Archive features in praying – Baby with me – that you will be William Ratcliffe was born in West an exhibition at the Imperial War spared to come through these terrible Derby, Lancashire in 1882. He joined the Museum: Larysa Bolton – Archivist, days of fighting safe and well and return army aged 17 and served In South Africa Tameside to us my darling man.” The Captain May during the . After archive (archives reference MR4/17/295) serving 12 years he left the army and is available for consultation at Tameside worked on the docks in Liverpool. When Local Studies and Archives Centre, World War One erupted in August 1914 The New Museum of Liverpool Central Library, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 he re-joined his old Regiment in the 7SG, telephone 0161 342 4242. same month. Liverpool Scottish: Ian Riley (Curator) His first decoration, the Military Medal, Charles May was born in New More information about the In came his way in June 1917. He earned it th On 30 September, as a result of a Zealand, the son of a British Officer. He Memoriam exhibition can be obtained via by counter sniping and killing seven rent review, the Liverpool Scottish enemy snipers who had been taking a 11 OH FOR A GLIMPSE OF THE GRAVE WHERE YOU’RE LAID - www.twgpp.org 12 WHAT I GAVE I HAVE – Lt Farrell D Minor, 167th Inf. Reg AEF heavy toll on his friends. The General At the end of the war Ratcliffe returned bookwhen it seemedauthority the to exhumeanswer could(WGR1) be was who awarded Ratcliffe his medal, home to a heroes welcome and became providedgiven by "to the ensure visitor proper before maintenance me on that and somewhat prophetically said ‘We shall known as ‘The Dockers’ VC. He died in day. non He disturbance".was John MoodyThe concentration from the of have you getting the other one next!’ 1963 and is buried in , CWGC office at Beaurains who was Graves Report for this site Two months later those words came true. Liverpool. The machine gun that apparently on an inspection tour since mentions ’Headstones erected' at this The gallant deed that earned Ratcliffe Ratcliffe captured in 1917 is currently on we followed his signature at other the Victoria Cross can best be described display in the Museum of the Queen’s cemeteriestime that afternoon and the next in the words of Major General Sir Lancashire Regiment. His medals are on day. Private BRYANT was originally buried Douglas Baird, Commander of the 75th loan to the Imperial War Museum in with one other casualty (Rifleman Infantry Brigade: London. Peter Ratcliffe is Meyrs) in Chateau Thierry Communal ‘Private Ratcliffe was an old soldiercommemorated on the Tower Hill Cemetery. Both were exhumed and with the South African Medal. He was a Memorial, London, which remembers the moved, together with the headstones men and women of the Merchant Navy stretcher-bearer and had done sometime after 17 July 1934 again when and Fishing Fleets who died in both distinguished service on the Somme. In authority to exhume was given. The world wars and have no known grave. this attack he was following his platoon concentration of Graves Report for this and, on reaching the first objective, saw a CWGC HEADSTONE MYSTERY: Terry site mentions ’Headstones erected' at Boche machine gun in action that had Deannot (+P) this time. been ‘mopped up’ and was firing into the Finally, a comprehensive Graves On return home my first email to Mr flank and rear of his advancing Last May Emmie and I returned home Registration Report of Montreuil-aux- Moody produced a prompt response from comrades. He at once droppedfrom his our stay in the Dordogne by driving Lions British Cemetery dated 17 June his colleague, Roger Bird that the two stretcher and seizing a dead man’sa route rifle to the East of Paris. Whilst away 1935 i.e. after all the concentrations had I had spent some time reading up on the Corsehill sandstone headstones were went straight for the machine gun and taken place, confirms the Plot, Row and Marne/Aisne in September 1914 so that concentrated from other burial sites in bayoneted the German officer and five of Grave number of each casualty with all our return journey could retrace some of the area and would be replaced in the crew. He then picked up the machine the steps taken by the Lancashire Portland when the need arises.the graves This marked. left gun and some ammunition andContemptibles. ran after me wondering whether concentration The Headstone of Schedules for all three his company, and when they had Our got mission the started at Bernay-en Brie graves was still taking place.casualties are the originals which means st Advising Roger that the concentration final objective he brought wherethe gun the into 1 Loyal North Lancs ended that none of them have been replaced of graves could be an interesting article action against the enemy. their He thenretreat went from Mons. We followed since they were first erected (For for our next Despatch I asked him for back and got his stretchertheir and spentroute theas they advanced north- consistency I would have expected Ratcliffe certainly played his part in eastwards towards the Marne then more information, for example: rest of the night bringing in the wounded Meyrs H/S to have been Corsehill as well allowing the Battalion to establish a new diverted to say hello to Lieutenants Original location of graves through a heavy barrage.’ but obviously not !! ) line and complete their objectives. Chittenden and Smith of the 2nd Reason(s) for movement In thanking Roger for pursuing my What inspires a man to act with such Manchesters who are buried at Montreuil Date(s) of movement, This originalanswers query some which of isMr unanswered, Dean's and courage? We shall never know for aux Lions cemetery. and any other information he thoughtquestions has but elicited not the a crucial similar one query - why as to why certain. William Ratcliffe’s brother, Peter They “lie” on the left as the cemetery is may be of interest Corsehill.”Rifleman Meyrs has a Portland was on board the Passenger Ship the entered but my attention to them was After consulting with his Head Office in Headstone, I asked Roger whether he Lusitania working as a Fireman, when it immediately diverted to a few graves Maidenhead Roger’s next email included was aware of other situations where was sank by a German U-Boat in May beyond the Cross of Sacrifice. Two red their response: Portland and Corsehill headstones are 1915. 1,198 of the 1,959 civilian Corsehill gravestones stood prominent “Rifleman JARVIS was originally mixed in the same cemetery. buried in Latilly Communal Cemetery on passengers and crew on board were amongst the remainder in Portland stone. His response was that he was not his own and was exhumed and moved, killed in an incident that shocked the Why were the gravestones of Rifleman aware of any others in France but was world. Maybe Ratcliffe’s bravery was Jarvis and Private Bryant, killed on 11th together with the headstone sometimesure that the ones we had found when partly an act of vengeance or was it an and 19th September 1914 respectively after 25 July 1934, the datevisiting Lieuts Chittenden and Smith were amazing act of selflessness? Corsehill? When I completed the visitor 14 OH FOR A GLIMPSE OF THE GRAVE WHERE YOU’RE LAID - www.twgpp.org 13 WHAT I GAVE I HAVE – Lt Farrell D Minor, 167th Inf. Reg AEF not the only ones. In the emails I 4) Degree of maintenance required (this from O2, totaling over £5000. These exercise was necessary. Our OS map exchanged with Roger he states that the means that a WM which is difficult to funds have been used to pay for the suggested a walk by the sea via the Commission are very proud of their maintain is given a high mark & one that creation of two addenda panels for the remains of an old church. After founding principles that all casualties are is fairly easy to maintain is given a lower WM, commemorating those who died in, directions from a local to avoid the bog treated equally regardless of rank, race mark to be fair to everyone). or as a result of war, but whose names and find the unmarked bridge across the or religion. Each has a standard pattern Up to five marks can be awarded have not been recorded on the WM – 25 stream we entered the church graveyard. headstone and the material from which it against each criterion (therefore the in number. The panels will be positioned All that remained of the church was a is produced is irrelevant. maximum mark for each WM is 20) and before Remembrance Day so that they battered gable-end. To my astonishment My concluding comment to Roger was two sets of judges mark each WM to can be dedicated at the Remembrance it carried a memorial to 12 locals who lost to suggest that the historical information obtain a fair mark. Day Service on 9 November. their lives in the Great War including 5 on the cemetery on the CWGC website The winner was Chipping War The group also intends to produce a Cameron Highlanders. The (Kilmaluag) and in the Cemetery Book could usefully Memorial (see back page photo) which leaflet giving the history of the WM & the graveyard also contained the graves of mention the concentration of graves in was immaculate & a credit to the people names of all who died. This will be one of the Camerons and two seamen. the 1930’s. This could be accompanied who maintain it – not a single weed distributed to every household in the four Returning to our car I was given with a reference to the different amongst the flower beds, very tidy & no parishesAdlington & &also District to local in schoolsBloom asGroup, an directions to see the son of an elderly headstones in the cemetery and that they litter. The following five WMs were educationalSecretary/Organiser tool. of the Lancashire lady who is the local sage. I explained would be replaced in Portland stone awarded highly commended certificates: (BestJeanette Kept Lowe Village is theCompetition Chair of& theTown my interest in determining which of the when the need arises. This would give Blacko Mayor of Adlington 2008-9) Camerons would be known to Sandy and the opportunity for the CWGC to Heapey immediately was given a commitment to reinforce its policy on equal treatment for Preesall & Knott End help. all and hopefully avoid others puzzling Barton, Bilsborrow & Myerscough On returning home the email link from like myself. Sabden Barton to Kilmaluag sent northwards a I await any comments or similar Finding Sandy’s Men: Terry Dean (+P) list of possible names from the CWGC sightings from readers of Despatch which Whilst not in North Lancashire your records and the investigation is ongoing. I can pass on to Roger. readers may be interested in what we At the end of September we enjoyed However my limited analysis of the have done for our local Adlington, an overnight stay with Derek and Rosie CWGC list and Medal Index Cards LANCASHIRE’S BEST KEPT WAR Anderton, Heath Charnock & Rivington Bird (Derek is Chairman of the North already confirms two of the Camerons to MEMORIAL – 2008: Jeanette Lowe (+P) War Memorial (situated in Adlington). Scotland Branch) prior to presenting my be known to Sandy with Private Alick Adlington & District in Bloom Action talk “A Highland Officer’s War”. There MacKenzie accompanying him across 29 villages entered their War Group, is a small group of volunteers was a good turn out at Elgin with also a the Channel aboard HMS Arundel in July Memorials (WMs) in the competition this who banded together to enter the North member of the Sandilands family, who 1915 to fall on the first day at Loos. A year. A total of 98 villages & hamlets West in Bloom competition. Our main lives near Wick, and the convenor of the fuller report in Despatch could follow. entered the “Best Kept Village” (BKV) project this year was to spruce up the Cameron Highlander’s Association The first name on the memorial was competition but a lot of the smaller ones War Memorial & surrounds. The stone of attending. The next day we cycled the coincidently a Seaforth Highlander. This don’t have their own WMs. Also quite a the WM has been cleaned, but has not Black Isle returning via the Cromarty- brings me back to the reason we were in lot of villages that do have WMs haven’t come up as well as hoped, however, it is Nigg ferry and Invergordon from where Scotland in the first place. Derek Bird entered them which usually means that much better than it was. The bronze Sandy left for France in November 1914 showed me the final proof copy of his they are not well cared for, which is sad. plaques commemorating those who died together with replacements for the much bookExcellent” “The Spirit of the Troops is The WMs are judged on the following have been cleaned and look really good. depleted 1st Battalion Cameron on the 6th battalion Seaforth criteria: Chorley Council, whose responsibility Highlanders after first Ypres. Highlanders which is now published. I 1) Condition of memorial it is to maintain the WM, replanted the The following day we explored by car have sought Derek’s help with 2nd Lt. D. 2) Condition of the surrounds, i.e. grass, flower beds & pruned the shrubbery (not the Isle of Skye with no thoughts of Mackay since the CWGC records do not flower beds & railings as much as we would have liked but an WW1. Late afternoon we were near the immediately suggest a match with Skye. 3) Absence of litter & graffiti improvement). The group received two Isle’s northernmost tip and decided some A further site visit may well be necessary! grants – one from Awards for All & one

15 AND THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN UNTO GOD WHO GAVE IT – Lt T G Thomas Can.Inf 16 FOR HONOUR, LIBERTY AND TRUTH HE SACRIFICED HIS GLORIOUS YOUTH – Pte Fletcher, South Lancashire Regt splinters. I found the War Memorial "La Arrangements are in hand for a repeat Secretaries. As well as providing Branch DEAR EDITOR, commune de St Sauveur a ses enfants of last year's successful Branch Chairmen (and hence Branches) with an mort pour La France". The Battalion Christmas Lunch, AGM and talks at the opportunity to see what the WFA is doing Finding Sergeant Nevin marched south to Nery. We followed in King's Head, Ravenstonedale. This nationally, the Conference also gives Reading about this in the May our coach. At Nery we looked at the year's event will be held on Sunday, 14 scope for "networking," as highlighted by "Despatch" brought back memories of cabbage field where "L" Battery RHA December (cost- £16), when the an approach by the Chairman of N. the 2004 "Old Contemptibles Tour" with with guns hooked up ready to leave had speakers will be Graham Kemp, whose Northumberland Branch for a joint activity the Friends of the Queens Lancashire shells landing amongst them. They talk will be on "Submarines of WWI," and in Cumbria with the Cumbria Branch. Regiment Museum. The Editor's bicycle were able to un-hook and turn round Branch Secretary, Martin Simpson, who Following my attendance last year at a ride in the wind & the rain was prompted three of the guns and fire back with a will talk about his many trips to the reception and exhibition in London, by a book written by Captain Hopkinson. dwindling number of men who continued battlefields, provide anecdotes and hosted by the Belgian Ambassador, We were told about his gallantry while he to fire the one undamaged gun until all stories about discoveries he has made, aimed at promoting a better was a Lieutenant while we were the ammunition was gone.( No wonder and outline proposals for a 2009 Branch understanding of 's past, and standing in a field at Fontaine au Pire the Battery earned three VCs) Tour to lesser known sites. Anyone reminding us of the strong ties between where the 1st East Lancs were holding We came home two days later. We wishing to attend on 14 December Belgium and the U.K., I am now receiving Quarry Ridge near Le Cateau . had learned a lot and reflected on our please telephone me on 01524-761492. regular invites to attend a series of The men were spread across the field, comfortable ride along the route of the The Branch's Hon President (The lectures in London. Unfortunately it has presumably in the prone position, to Retreat which the Poor Bloody Infantry Rt.Hon John Hutton MP - Secretary of not been possible for me to attend the delay the Germans for a while, had to march, often in hot sunshine. State for Business & Enterprise) has one on 1 October on "King Albert I," and Lieutenant Hopkinson's platoon was to Joe Hodgson kindly donated a signed copy of his a prior commitment prevents me from the left of the track. They were the recently published book "Kitchener's attending in December, when the topic rearguard. When the position, became By the time this issue has reached the Men." This will be raffled at the will be "Belgium in :" untenable the Line gradually melted members we should have visited Christmas Lunch, with the proceeds split however, a lecture scheduled for Spring away as the men filed back to Ligny. Colsterdale on an impromptu branch between the Royal British Legion and the 2009 is one that fascinates me and is Lieutenant Hopkinson's platoon kept (and friends) trip. If anybody can think of Branch. one which I hope to attend i.e. "Beneath firing until all their ammunition was gone any other suitable place(s) to visit in the I would also like to mention a very Flanders Fields 1915-18 (British and then ran helter skelter down the near future, perhaps they could give successful "Branch Chairmen's Underground Warfare in Flanders and track, over the railway bridge and into details at a future meeting. Andrew Conference, at the Bentley Hotel, Recent Excavations)," and featuring Mr Ligny (en Cambrensis). We followed Brooks Lincoln, on 13 September, when I Franky Bostyn, Curator of the Memorial down the same track and over the represented Cumbria Branch, and Nigel Museum, Passchendaele. railway bridge and so into Ligny. On we BOB’S CORNER: Bob Matthews – Hunt who, like me, is also a member of went by coach to Compiegne (Famous Chairman, Cumbria Branch WFA both Cumbria, and N. Lancs' Branches, BRANCH AFFAIRS for signing the Armistice). The railway and stood in at short notice for Chairman carriage has gone but the train lines are At its August meeting Cumbria Branch Stan. Education was again a major still there. Next Day we drove much was given an interesting new talk by Niall feature of the Conference, and further south to St Sauveur where we Cherry - "Advance to Victory 1918." opportunity was taken to report on the N. looked at the wood the German cavalry Supplementing the talk were maps given Lancs' Branch initiative the "Armistice Armistice Prize (+S) came out of and hearing how 11 Brigade to the audience, on which they could Prize." Interest too was shown in the st (including 1/East Lancs) were unable to follow the actions in the Somme Valley "Despatch," with one delegate borrowing On 1 October the closing date for halt a whole German Corps so had to and the allies progress towards the a copy during the Conference and having submissions of a newspaper article from retreat, three companies of 1/East Lancs . John Chester, the it photocopied at the hotel for use as a pupils of High Schools in Lancashire on marching through the village of St. WFA's Branch Co-ordinator, makes a model publication. A written report on the the subject “The Major Events of 1918” Sauveur while it was being shelled. We return visit to Cumbria in October: his talk Conference has been produced and passed with no entries having been had a chance to look round the village featuring the exciting naval battles off copies have been given to both Branch received. From limited feedback from and wondered at the many pock- marks Coronel and the Falklands, where both in the church walls caused by shell sides had mixed fortunes. 18 FOR HONOUR, LIBERTY AND TRUTH HE SACRIFICED HIS GLORIOUS YOUTH – AND THE SPIRIT SHALL RETURN UNTO GOD WHO GAVE IT – Lt T G Thomas Can.Inf 17 Pte Fletcher, South Lancashire Regt schools the main reason seems to have poems were produced by pupils aged Mother opened it with a gulp been the problem of fitting an extra between 13 and 14. All of the pupils in Then a sigh specific project into an already the year voted for the best poem and the My dear children, daddy has gone pressurised curriculum. winner by some distance was Lindsay But remember he loved you, his daughter and son Some schools are doing good work on Donickey. WW1 and, in response to notification It was felt that work on the poems Now as I stand over your grave about the prize; St Cecilia’s Roman deserved recognition and Lindsay I want you to know Daddy, you were so brave Catholic Technology College at Donickey, the author of the winning poem Your name is written on a polished stone Longridge asked in June whether their at the school, has been awarded a book ( Please remember work on war poetry could be considered. H P Willmotts’s “WORLD WAR 1”) and You’re not alone At the time this was declined since it did £25. Also the school will be the first I am always here and love you so not fit with the brief set for the holders of the Armistice Prize trophy But why they chose you I just don’t know competition. However following the nil which is a miniature Cenotaph similar to response contact was made with St Edwin Lutyens’ Cenotaph in Whitehall, Based on feedback from this year’s actor and had himself assisted the war Cecilia’s to see their work on war poems. London. This has been specially made competition it is felt in future that schools effort by driving ambulances. The pupils at the College have and donated by Stone Essentials of should make their own decisions on what Gordon described the physical scars produced some wonderful poems of their Rossendale. material to submit for the prize providing which so many familiar actors had hidden own after learning about life in the Lindsay’s poem is below and all of the it is relates to WW1. Submissions could behind their acting ability. Claude Rains trenches and having studied the poetry of poems written by the pupils can be take the form of poems, essays, news and Charles Laughton were both badly Owen, McCrae and Sassoon. All the viewed on our website. articles, reports of visits, drama, videos gassed and had suffered from the after and others. A marking scheme would effects when wearing heavy make up or WHEN WE SAID GOODBYE need to be developed to take account of clothing. There were so many others the different types of entries. Also in whom Gordon had researched, such as I remember when we said goodbye response to comments made about the Leslie Banks who was disfigured on the You whispered geographical coverage of the prize area left side of his face by a shell, preferring “Don’t be sad and please don’t cry. in particular the area north of the existing to be photographed with this side hidden, Daddy will be home soon. Lancashire County Boundary, it is Raymond Massey who had lost a leg and It’s not for long” proposed this should be discussed at John Laurie, badly wounded. I never knew you would be so wrong Christmas Social and AGM on 1st A favourite actor of mine, Basil You walked out of the door December. Rathbone, won the MC and was noted And just said “Bye bye” for his regular sorties into No Mans Land I tried to smile with a tear in my eye Report of Meetings to create havoc in the German lines. T hurt so much, watching you walk away Nigel Bruce, his Dr Watson in the Not knowing what would happen the next day Those Stars that Served: May 2008 Sherlock Holmes films, was an Old Contemptible. I was surprised to learn I sat on my bed cuddled up tight Gordon Rae gave us a fascinating talk that Humphrey Bogart had served in the Wishing you were here to kiss me goodnight entitled “Those Stars who Served”. US Navy in 1918. I tried to stay strong Gordon had become interested in the war On the German side, Conrad Weiss For Bobby and Mum service of actors while helping with the served in the cavalry on the Eastern But whenever I thought of you my body went numb National Inventory of War Memorials. He Front and was badly affected by the Bobby and I waiting, hoping you’d write found a memorial to ten actors who had Russian winters. He was withdrawn from To tell us how you were, that you were alright died in the First World War and who had the front and joined a concert party. No mail was posted, not even a note been members of the Bensonians at And finally Rin Tin Tin. When US I started to get a sickening feeling in my throat Stratford. Frank Benson was the leading troops attacked Metz, they found an We waited and waited Alsatian bitch and her litter. Only Rin Tin And finally a reply 20 19 (+S) Denotes supplementary information etc on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk THEN THE GODS PITIED HIM AND TOOK HIM TO THEIR MIDST – Pte A Prout AIF Tin survived and was taken back to the how the actions, which were intended to Front in not having individual grave markers US. Off Duty in Salonika: July 2008 open a back door to Russia, had started as for unknown soldiers and very few I’m sure all of us will watch the old films primarily a naval operation, but due to gravestones; one cemetery having only 10 with renewed interest now. (Gaynor Starting by retracing her Grandfather’s inefficient minesweeping with significant named stones out of the 677 buried there. Greenwood) footsteps in Salonika Katherine Wills naval losses the land based actions soon (Peter Bamford) went on to summarise the early events commenced. They were to involve 84 From the Prairies to the Trenches via of the War in the Balkans from the regiments through the course of the 41 Letters of a Private of the KOYLI: Oxford. A Yank in the Grenadier Guards: assassination of Archduke Ferdinand to campaign. September 2008 June 2008 the privations suffered by the Serbs as Initial landings, in April 1915, from the they migrated south in 1915 following 'River Clyde' resulted in a disastrous loss of Malcolm Johnson our speaker gave an Michael O’Brien’s talk was actually German and Bulgarian advances. life as men were picked off as they excellent, well illustrated, talk based on about 2 Americans who had been She then outlined the experiences emerged; 5 VCs were awarded. W Beach, the 41 letters Walter Parsonage of the Rhodes scholars at Oxford. They were faced by the British units which went to or Lancashire Landing' as it became known, 1/5th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry two of thirteen Americans on a Memorial their aid. Road building, construction of was no better with a 50% casualty rate in sent home to his wife in Wakefield in in Rhodes House, Oxford. trenches and waging a war on malaria the Lancashire Fusiliers and 6 VCs won 1917. William Alexander Fleet gained one of were greater demands than those posed 'before breakfast'. Thousands of Anzac In April 1917 he enrolled into the 3rd the first Rhodes scholarships to attend by the enemy. To avoid boredom, troops managed to get ashore to find West Yorks and was sent to Whitley Bay, Oxford University between 1904 and activities ranged from piano composition insurmountable ridges where there should Northumberland, for his basic training. 1907. Frustrated that President to gardening interspersed with concert have been sand dunes. Losses mounted After a short time he is given five days Woodrow Wilson delayed America’s parties. with little progress being made in the leave and was then sent to France. A entry into the war he travelled to England Dick Whittington (variant), Aladdin, inhospitable terrain. Corpses lay in the open fortnight was spent in Etaples training in 1916 enlisted in the Artists Rifles then Bluebeard were some of the for weeks on end; dysentery accounted for before being drafted to join the 1/5th gained a commission into the Grenadier pantomimes. 26, 27 and 28 Divisions more men than casualties. K.O.Y.L.I. (with 85 others) at Nieuport. Guards aged 33. Gassed at Ypres in competed to build theatres and female By August new offensives were planned He was in this area when the Germans September 1917 he returned to the impersonators were in demand. She told with yet another landing further north at attacked on the night of July 21st. This trenches near Arras in December 1917 of some of the stars who performed and Suvla. Fierce fighting ensued with still no was a devastating attack with gas shells where he was caught up in the March their futures or lack of them. Derek progress to break the stalemate. and H.E. shells. It was around this time 1918 German offensive. In May 1918 his Oldham (ex Lancashire Fusiliers) being Munro was appointed and recommended when Walter reported sick and the M.O., unit was withdrawn from the front line taken on by D’Oyly Carte after the war, evacuation of the peninsular. Conditions took one look at his teeth and sent him to and after attending a concert party his whilst Eddie Dillon sought more deteriorated as winter set in with flooded the dentist, who promptly removed tent was hit by a German bomb which excitement in the RFC only to perish in a trenches and heavy snow and ice, twelve. killed him and the other occupants. flying accident. Do their ghosts walk the accounting for 200 men drowned and His battalion then moved to the Ypres George Wayne Anderson Jnr., born in fields there with one being named 10,000 suffering from frostbite. Salient to join in the Battle of Third Ypres January 1896 was a great great “Theatre Field” to this day? (TD) The evacuation commenced in (Passchendaele). Walter was kicked by grandson of President Thomas Jefferson. December with 83,000 men, 500 animals a mule and missed the Battle of Motivated to fight by the German U-boat and 200 guns from Suvla. The operations Poelcappelle (9/10th October) and in campaign he enlisted in May 1917. He THINK!! took place by night to prevent the Turks November received a ‘clout in the eye’ was promoted rapidly despite limited Articles for Despatch becoming aware of the withdrawal; 20,000 which sent him to hospital for 2-3 weeks. military experience, went to France in men per night were evacuated from 15 to He wrote home at Xmas and told the August 1918 and in late October 1918 Deadline for next Issue 20 December. The evacuation was complete family what a wonderful time he had, st was commanding a Field Artillery is 31 March 2009 by 9th January with not a single man being eating his fill and watching the Pierrots. Company in the Argonne. He was killed. On the 30th December the battalion went directing artillery which was supporting Gallipoli: August 2008 Mary rounded off her excellent talk with a onto the Passchendaele Ridge to repair 90th Division infantry north of Bantheville brief tour of the major cemeteries which barbed wire in No-man’s –land. They when he was killed by German counter Mary Davison , a WFA member from the differ from those found on the Western were close to Vienna Cottages, near battery fire. (TD) Lancashire & Cheshire Branch described 22 (+P) Denotes photos, maps in Photo Gallery on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk 21 THEN THE GODS PITIED HIM AND TOOK HIM TO THEIR MIDST – Pte A Prout AIF rd Tyne Cot, when a shell burst close to the Willie Wilkinson went to France on Augover 3 East: “The Africa” China - Bob Affair Matthews – Airships Occasional Day working party and he was killed instantly. Easter Sunday 1918 and joined the 9th Arrangements have now been finalised Malcolm Johnson who edited the Battalion KOYLI at Kemmel as a much for our Occasional Day and summary letters formed the opinion that Florrie, needed replacement. After enduring SepBattlefield 7th; “ Photosin the of the French details from Gaynor are as follows: Walter’s wife, never really understood punishment in the German’s Georgette - Michal Shiel Army life (she sent him slippers and offensive in April he moved to the Aisne Vosges Mountains” DATE: Sunday 29th March 2009 expected him to get regular leave). only to suffer the same again in late May PLACE: Bare Village Club Walter was always most concerned and be captured. Put to work behind the Oct 5 th: “The Trial of Willie Stone” TIME: 10.30 (Coffee) for 11.00 about her and how she was managing lines he suffered bad treatment, poor - David Tattersfield with the children. Malcolm was able to food and survived a 5 day train journey LUNCH: Hot Pot with various desserts interview one of the surviving children , into hospital at Crossen Camp south of Nov 2nd: “Advertising in the Great War” Nancy, a few years ago and she clearly Berlin. - Paul Michel SPEAKERS: remembered being told in the school He was eventually repatriated in Peter Donnelly: “TBA” playground on the first day back in December 1918 into hospital at Whalley. January 1918 that ‘her Father was not His experiences as a PoW taught him to Ian Lewis: “Cumbria War Memorials” Contemptibles” coming home’. waste nothing but had little effect on his It was a wonderful talk, excellently longevity. He died 3 weeks short of his Terry Dean: “The Lancashire delivered, and if any members were 100th birthday. unable to attend then they could always read Malcolm’s book. (Andrew Brooks) Programme of Future Meetings FINISH: 16.00/16.30 COST: £15.00 PoWs of the Great War: October 2008 Dec 1st: Christmas Social and AGM To book contact Gaynor Greenwood JanGreat 5th :War” “Post Card Messages from the Odd Headstones?? – See Page 13 (01524 410750) - Andrew Brooks

FebSportsmen 2nd: “The who fellGreater in the GreatGame War” –

- Clive Harris

Mar 2nd: “The – 1917” - Niall Cherry

Apr 6 th: “V Beach Landing at Gallipoli”

- Peter Hart Oliver and Stanley Wilkinson shared the responsibility for talking generally MayCommanders” 4th: “Several - Battalion about the experiences of British Terry Dean prisoners in the Great War then focussed on the specific experiences of Stan’s JunA Brilliant 1st; “HindenburgPartnership” and- Ludendorf – granddad, Oliver’s great-granddad. Oli Prof. John Derry had researched the attitudes of PoWs Western Front Association, North Lancashire Branch and the means by which they Chairman: Stan Wilkinson Treasurer: Gaynor Greenwood JulThe 6th Naval: “Before Career the of MusicBaron SoundedGeorg-von- – endeavoured to escape. He concluded Tel: 01524 262302 Tel: 01524 410750 that Great War PoWs had pioneered the Trapp” Secretary: Alan Lenord Editor: Terry Dean - Michael O’Brien way for the well publicised escapes of Tel: 01254 812092 Tel: 01772 864182 Mob: 07866 493210

WW2. 24 email: [email protected] email: [email protected] (+P) Denotes photos, maps in Photo Gallery on our website: www.wfanlancs.co.uk 23 THEN THEWebsite: GODS PITIED www.wfanlancs.co.uk HIM AND TOOK HIM TO THEIR MIDST – Pte A Prout AIF