Living at Seddons Brow, Eccleston, were Frank Broad, a 37 year old attendant at a Lunatic Asylum, his wife Julia (37), and children Frances (13), Josephine (11), Ethel (9), Maud (3) and George (1)
1911 Census - Frank Broad (58), his wife Julia (48) and children Frances (23), Josephine (21), Ethel (19), Maud (13) and George Edward (11)
are recorded as living in Portico, Eccleston
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q2/1900, Prescot, 8b, 718
Death Registered Prescot Q1/1918 age 17
Research Ref. No.
P027
Service Details for George Henry Broad have not yet been identified.
PrescotGrammar School 1913 – 1915
Private 12965 Francis BROOKES
(C) Prescot Reporter
Unit/Regiment
13th Bn., King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Date of Death
31/08/1918
Age at Death
21
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Vis-en-Artois Memorial
Panel 3 & 4
Census Details
1901 Census -
Living at 7 Yates Court, Sewell Street, Prescot, were Edward Brookes, a 40 year old coal miner, and his wife Sarah, also aged 40. Their children are also at the address and are Edwin (18), Gerty (15), Albert (13), Theresa (11) and Frank (4).
1911 Census – The Brookes family lived at 3, Carvers Yard, Prescot. Sarah was aged 51 and widowed after 30 years of marriage, Living with her were sons Edwin (27), a General Labourer in the Wire Works, Francis (14), an assistant House Painter, and daughter Theresa (21), an Electric Lamp Tester.
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q2/1897, Prescot, 8b, 682
Marriage to Mary Ashcroft registered in Prescot, Q1/1918, Volume 8b, Page 1085
Son Francis born Q1/1918, Prescot
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Warrington, Lancs
Resided
Whiston, Lancs
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Research Ref. No.
P028
Service Details
Francis Brooks enlisted in Liverpool on 22nd August 1914, embarking for France on 20th May 1915. In addition to service with the 13th Battalion, he also served with the 11th and 4th Battalions of the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), probably changing battalions when returning to active service after recovering from wounds.
In August 1918, the 13th Battalion of the Regiment were engaged in the Battle of Albert, which ran from 21st to 23rd. They formed part of the 3rd Division. Early on the 21st, the 2nd Division attacked the Ablainzeville-Moyenville ridge, successfully taking the objective. The 3rd Division passed through, aiming for the Achiet-le-Grand-Arras railway.
There was a thick mist and the leading companies came under machine-gun fire as soon as they set off. “D” Company, supported by a tank, captured many prisoners in taking their objective and “C” Company rushed the machine gun positions, taking their objective despite heavy casualties.
By the time they moved to bivouacs at Ayette, they had suffered 4 officers killed, 7 wounded and 263 Other Rank casualties.
After a brief respite, the Battalion was back in action on the 31st August when they took part in the attack on Ecoust. The attack was a success but once again they incurred heavy casualties, estimated at 9 officers and 200 Other Ranks. Amongst these was Francis Brookes. His body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.
After the war was over, the Parish Magazine reported on 27th November 1918, “The following names to be added to the list of honour” and included “”Pte. Francis Brookes, 21, the King’s Liverpools. Killed in Action 31st August 1918, of 4 Pottery Fields, and had left a widow and one child”.
His Medal Index Card, below, shows his rank of Acting Corporal, but does not refer to his service with different battalions of the Regiment. His entitlement is shown as British War Medal and Victory Medal. However, the card also does not record his entry to France which would have entitled him to the 1914-1915 Star. For this reason, it seems likely that he had more than one Medal Index Card
Francis Brookes’ Medal Index Card
Private Brookes’ inscription on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial
Lance Corporal 3465 Arthur George Henry BROWN
Unit/Regiment
2nd Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of Death
01/07/1916
Age at Death
23
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Thiepval Memorial
Pier and Face 3 C and 3 D
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of George Brown, of 4, Dial House, Dial St., Warrington; husband of Mary Brown, of 30, Carlton St., Prescot, Lancs
Census Details
1901 Census
8 year old Arthur Brown lived atPalatine Villas, Eccleston, with his parents George (37, a Lunatic Asylum Attendant) and Sarah (34), and brothers Walter (6), Frederick (4) and Horatio (1). The census notes that Arthur was born in Thatto Heath.
Marriage to Mary Atherton registered in Prescot, Q1/1914, Vol 8b, Page 859
SDGW – Where Born
St Helens
Enlisted
Bury
Resided
Liverpool
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Research Ref. No.
P315
Service Details
The 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, were at the front on 1st July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The extract below from the battalion war diary for the day illustrates the actions in which they were involved.
“12.15 a.m.
The battalion passed the starting point east of BERTRANCOURT for the Assembly Trenches.
2.50 a.m.
Battalion was settled in the Assembly Trenches at Q.1.A
7.30 a.m.
The 11th Brigade attacked the German front line system
8.00 a.m.
Battalion moved out of Assembly Trenches in Artillery formation. This being done, everyone lay down and awaited further orders.
8.30 a.m.
Battalion advanced directing flank moving at 50* a minute. Nothing retarded the advance until shortly after 9 a.m. when the lead of the battalion passed over the line of Vallards Trench. Directly the small parties crossed the above line they became subject to heavy artillery, machine gun and rifle fire. A particularly heavy barrage had to be passed through on our front line and on all "no MansLand". However the advance was still carried on, naturally faster than the 50* a minute.
9.15 a.m.
About 9.15 a.m. the Head of the Battalion crossed over the front line trench. The casualties in Officers and Other Ranks were by then fairly numerous. About 9.45 a.m. the front company had reached the third line of the German front line system.
As it was impossible to advance further, owing to the entire lack of support on either flank, an attempt was made to consolidate the position.
The advance line then began to telescope the front two companies and parts of the rear two collected in the German lines. The remainder collected in our old front line and fed the forward line as well as possible with bombs.
Owing to the Germans not being entirely driven out of their front line the ground occupied by our troops closed in round the area of the quadrilateral. This areas was successfully held by the use of grenades, Stokes mortars, machine guns, rifles and bayonets until the order was given to evacuate the position about 4 a.m. the following morning.The evacuation was carried out successfully and with few casualties. “
The battalion lost 2 officers and 65 other ranks killed that day. Amongst them was Lance Corporal Brown.He has no known grave and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Arthur Brown’s Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal
Private 31597 William BURNS
Unit/Regiment
17th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of Death
24/08/1916
Age at Death
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Thiepval Memorial
Pier and Face 3C and 3D
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Leigh, Lancs
Resided
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Research Ref. No.
P029
Research ongoing
William Burns’ Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal
Private 101391 Henry BURROWS
Unit/Regiment
8th Coy, Royal Army Medical Corps
Date of Death
27/04/1920
Age at Death
47
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Prescot Churchyard
NP 301
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Husband of Emma Burrows, of 17, Derby St., Prescot
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Death Registered Q2/1920, ToxtethPark, 8b, 183
Research Ref. No.
P030
Research ongoing
Private Burrows grave in a poor state of repair in Prescot Churchyard. CWGC records show that there was once a white marble cross mounted on the grave, but this has disappeared.
Rifleman 240971 Thomas BURROWS
Unit/Regiment
1st/5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
09/08/1916
Age at Death
27
Burial/Memorial & Reference
SerreRoadCemetery No 2
XX D 12
SDGW – Where Born
Haydock
Enlisted
St Helens
Resided
How Died
Died of Wounds
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Also served as 3067, South Lancs. Regt.
Research Ref. No.
P031
Service Details
Thomas Burrows attested into the 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, as Private 3067 on 29th October 1914, giving his address as Kemble Street, Prescot.He was aged 24 years and 7 months, and stood 5 foot three inches tall, with “Good” physical development.
The 5th Battalion had just started its annual training in camp when war broke out in August 1914. It was sent to Edinburgh until October, then moved to Tunbridge Wells until February 1915. It was then ordered to France, sailing on the 13th aboard s.s. King Edward, arriving at Le Havre the same day.
Thomas Burrows embarked for France with reinforcements for his regiment on 7th May 1915, arriving there the following day.
As part of the great Battle of the Somme, launched on 1st July 1916, the 8th August saw the battalion receive ordersto capture the village of Guillemont, which had defied all previous attempts at capture and was a thorn in the side of the British forces. The attack commenced at 4.20 a.m. and initially all objectives were taken despite strong resistance. By the end of the day, the Railway Station and the front line trenches in front of the village were in allied hands. Orders were then received to be ready to continue the attack the following morning.
Zero hour was again at 4.20 a.m. and the initial assault was met with withering machine gun fire from the German defenders, resulting in the troops falling back to their starting points. This also resulted in the companies being heavily mixed up and it was noon before reorganisation was complete. After this, the battalion remained near Trones Wood until the 10th, clearing the dead of the previous two days of battle and consolidating the ground won at such a heavy cost. On the evening of the 10th, they were withdrawn to bivouac and then on the 12th returned to the line at Maltz Horn Farm.
Thomas Burrows’ casualty form shows that he was wounded in action on the 9th/10th August 1916 and was listed as missing. The records go on to say he died of wounds on 9th August 1916.
The Battalion War Diary for that date is reproduced below.
August 8 12midnight
Operation orders for attack received and Btn moves forward to get into position for an attack. 166 Inf Bde ordered to attack as follows:
1st Objective: Enemy front line from T25 b 1.5 through T25 a 3.3 to S24 d 65.75
2nd Objective: The capture of GUILLEMONT and of a line on the eastern side of the village from T25 b 1.5 to the Railway T19 b 0.3. 10th Liverpool Scottish to attack on the right and 5th Loyal North Lancs Regt on the left. The boundary between being TRONES WOOD – GUILLEMONT Road as far as T25 a 0.8. Thence a straight line running North East through the Church to the GUILLEMONT – LEOZE WOOD Road, to 5th Loyal North Lancs Regt. 5th South Lancs Regt to support the right Btn. Zero hour 4.30am. In moving up valley was found blocked with troops and transport.
August 9 2am
Commanding Officer with Adjutant arrived at proposed Btn Hqrs A5d 8g and found 2 Btn 165 Inf Bde (5th and 7th Kings Liverpool) in possession. Informed 166 Inf Bde Hqrs and were told to move up to Sunken Road T30c
August 9 3am
Established Hqrs in Sunken Road. Company Officers warned of changed Hqrs and sent for to explain changed scheme of attack as issued in Operation orders. No time to go into detail or for Coy Comdrs to explain to Coy Officers and N.C.O’s as attack was timed for 4.20am. Owing to all N.C.O’s and Btn and Coy runners having no idea of the country and the sunken road being crowded with men of 164 Bde great delay was caused in getting the Coys out in position.
August 9 3.55am
North Lancs just arriving and Officer in Command said he had only just heard that they were going to attack.
August 9 4.15am
Our guns opened a Heavy Barrage and the Germans dropped their Barrage within 3 minutes. Their back barrage line being our sunken road. Companies not all in position had to move thro Barrage. Those in position moved forward behind assaulting waves but whole line was unable to make headway owing to machine gun fire and heavy barrage. Whole line fell back and manned our original front line, Coys hopelessly intermixed with men of other attacking battalions.
August 9 12noon
Orders to withdraw Coys from line and relieve 1/5 Loyal North Lancs in Left Sector in front of TRONES WOOD. Relief completed 5pm. 5th Kings Own relieved 10th Liverpool Regt, on our right, also during afternoon.
August 9 5pm to August 10 midday
Btn worked hard clearing trenches and consolidating line.
August 10 4pm
Relief started by 8th West Kent Regt 72nd Bde. Relief complete 8pm and Btn moved back to Bivouacs in F22.
Total casualties from 12 midnight 8th to 12 midnight 10th 8 Officers 130 other ranks.
Thomas Burrows rests in Serre Road Cemetery No 2, which was begun in May 1917, when the clearance of the Somme battlefields was underway.
The Parish Magazine reported (date not known), “Pte Thomas Burrows, aged 27, of 35, Cyprus Street. 5th South Lancs. Killed in France 8th August 1916”
On 29th November 1916, the War Office wrote to the Army records Office to advise them that any personal effects of Thomas Burrows were to be sent to his mother, Catherine Burrows, at 35, Cyprus Street, Prescot.This letter shows that Burrows service number had been changed to 240971 (as part of the renumbering which took place in 1916).
The War Office returned Private Burrows few possessions to his mother on 17th December 1917. They consisted of “cards, letters and photos”. Catherine Burrows acknowledged receipt of these possession by way of marking a cross on the form, as she could not write. The mark was witnessed by Councillor Lucas, J.P.
Catherine Burrows “mark”, witnessed by William Lucas, J.P.
In 1919, the Army Records Office sent a form to his mother, Catherine Burrows, asking for details of Private Burrows’ blood relatives. She completed the form to note that he had no wife or children, She wrote his father’s name as “Henry”, but then crossed it out. It is assumed that this means Henry was deceased, as the form should only have details of living relatives.
The form then lists Thomas’ brother as William Henry Burrows, aged 30, of 32 Cross Street, Prescot and his sister as Mary Burrows, aged 28 and living in Manchester.
Private Burrows medals, the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, were issued to his mother in April 1921.
His Medal Index Card records his arrival in France on 6th May 1915, which conflicts with his service records by two days. This qualified him for the 1914-1915 Star in addition to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.He will have been serving with his original service number at that time. The card further notes that he died of wounds,
