Son of James and Alice Orrett, of 4, Garden Walk, Prescot, Lancashire. .
Census Details
1901 census -
The Orrett family lived at 4, Garden Walk, Prescot at the time of the census. Along with father James (37), a Commissions Agent, and his wife Alice (41), are children Annie (15), a dressmakers apprentice, James (12), John (9), Walter (5) and William (7)
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q2/1891, Prescot, 8b, 706
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Liverpool
Resided
Prescot, Lancs
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Head Boy at Cowley School, St. Helens, Lancs. (1907)
Attended Prescot Parish Church Bible Class
Research Ref. No.
P213
Service details
The 18th (Service) Battalion of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment was formed by Lord Derby in August of 1914, and John Orrett attested on 31st. They battalion embarked for France on 7th and 8th November 1915 as part of the 89th Brigade of the 30th Division, John Orrett being one of those involved.
(For details of the 18th Battalion involvement up to August 1916, refer to the section on Private John Copple).
After the activity on the Somme, the battalion was relieved on 22nd August and moved back to billets at Pont Fixe and La Panniere, where they spent the rest of the month.
The next action in which we see the 18th involved was the Battle of Le Transloy, 1st to 18th October 1916. It was the 13th October before the 18th Battalion came into the action, relieving the 20th King’s in the front line. The next phase of the attack on Le Transloy was due to start at 3.40 a.m. on the 18th October. The 18th Battalion were in the centre of a line which included the Green Howards on the left and the 2nd Wiltshires on the right.
Prior to the attack, the battalion had been in reserve at Flers Trench until the 15th, when they moved to support trenches at Goose Alley, then on the 17th they moved to their assembly trenches, which were in extremely poor condition.
At Zero hour, the battalion advanced steadily towards the German lines, but the Germans replied with a barrage that checked the first wave and resulted in them merging with the second wave. On one side of the advance, uncut barbed wire and withering machine gun fire slowed the advance, but the remainder continued onwards. But when they reached the German trenches, for some unaccountable reason they failed to jump in to the actual trenches, and instead began filtering back.It was felt that the men were utterly worn out after the continuous attrition. One description of the area said “The ground was covered in shell holes. Combined with the greasy and sodden state of the ground and numerous bodies, the going was exceedingly difficult. There were no landmarks to give the troops direction. The mud and the slime clogged the rifles and guns, preventing them from being fired”.
Eventually, during the night of the 18th/19th, the battalion was relieved by the Manchester Regiment and moved back to support trenches at Goose Trench. They had lost heavily – 14 officers and 212 other ranks.
Amongst the dead was Serjeant Orrett. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
John Orrett’s Medal Index Card
Corporal 27153 John ORTON
Prescot Reporter 27/04/1917
Unit/Regiment
2nd Bn, South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
12/04/1918
Age at Death
21
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Ploegsteert Memorial
Panel 6 and 7
Census Details
1901 Census –
John Orton was aged 5 and lived with his parents John, a 36 year old Coachman, and Gertrude (33) at Cowley Hill Lane in St Helens. Also presentwere his sister Clara (8) and brother William (2). Only William had been born locally (in Wavertree), the others being from York, Durham and Norfolk.
1911 Census –
The Orton family lived at Hamer Street in St Helens. By now, Gertrude was aged 42 and widowed but working as an Office Cleaner at the Labour Exchange. Living with her were sons John, aged 15 and working as a Carrier at Pilkington Brothers,and William, a 12 year old schoolboy.
John Orton joined the army on 7th March 1916 at Warrington. At that time he lived at 10, Eccleston Street, Prescot and worked as a Wire Drawer at the Cable Works. He was 20 years old, almost 21. He recorded his mother as next of kin, living at the same address.
Initially posted to the Depot Battalion at Warrington, on 19th April 1916 John was appointed as unpaid Lance Corporal and posted to the 10th Battalion, still at Warrington. He sailed for France on 17th July 1916, being then posted to the 2nd Battalion.
Early in 1917, he was assigned to the Army Provost Marshal (Military Police) at Rouen. Ironically, in May of 1917 he was relieved of his rank of Lance Corporal for being drunk when reporting for duty!
He returned to the 2nd Battalion in September of 1917, and quickly regained his rank of Lance Corporal, and was promoted to full Corporal on 23rd December.
At the beginning of 1918, the 2nd Battalion were located in the Lagnicourt sector, opposite the notorious Hindenberg Line. In February, owing to the shortage of manpower, the 8th (Service) Battalion ceased to exist, its men being transferred into the 2nd Battalion.
It was clear that there was additional activity in the German lines, and a corresponding increase in the activity of German aircraft. The German offensive finally began on the 21st March and the battalion was in the thick of the fighting until the night of the 26th, when they were withdrawn, marching to billets at Lanches which they reached on the 28th.
In the 5 days of the initial offensive, they had lost 13 officers and 360 other ranks, killed, wounded and missing. Upon the arrival at Lanches of reinforcements of 15 officers and 343 other ranks, the battalion was reorganised with 4 companies, “A” to “D”.
The battalion was ordered to replace the Australians at Ploegsteert and by 2nd April they occupied trenches some 2,000 yards east of the ruined village.They remained here until the 8th, when they marched back to the Rosignol rest area. However early the next morning, heavy shellfire was heard to the south, towards Armentieres and word was received that the enemy had broken through. The battalion was ordered to stand to, ready to move at a moment’s notice.
The battalion remained on stand by in support of the 8th Border Regiment and 11th Cheshires up to midnight on the 9th.
The next morning the Germans advanced towards Ploegsteert and the battalion was ordered to occupy a position on the high ground, 2,000 yards west of the village. At 3.30 p.m. it was decided that a counter attack against Ploegsteert should take place, timed for 5 p.m. The attack was reasonably successful, but was held up by a large number of skillfully handled German machine guns.
The battalion remained in the thick of the action and on the night of the 11th/12th, all was reasonably quiet, but the early morning brought with it a heavy bombardment and the news that the Germans had broken through on the right. A defensive flank was formed on the Romarin – Neueve Eglise Road, but for several hours afterwards all was quiet. At 2.00 p.m., however, the enemy attacked in force and despite a sterling resistance, the companies in the front line were driven back to a position south east of Neuve Eglise where they dug in again.
Corporal Orton was one of 34 men of the battalion who were killed in action that day. Most of them, like John Orton, have no known grave and are remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
In August of 1918, the War Office informed the Army records Office that the previously unofficial report of Corporal Orton’s death was now accepted as sufficient evidence for official purposes, and that his date of death was to be recorded as 10th – 12th April 1918.
In 1920, the Army Record Office wrote to Gertrude, John Orton’s mother, asking her to supply full details of all his living relatives so that the medals could be assigned to the correct person.
She replied to say that she now lived at 50, Market Place, Prescot with her son William Harold Orton, aged 2, and daughter Clara Gertrude Orton, aged 27.
John Orton’s Medal Index Card. His entitlement was to the British War Medal and Victory Medal
John Orton’s inscription on the Ploegsteert Memorial
Private 23883 Fred PARKIN
Unit/Regiment
Infantry, 55th Bn, Machine Gun Corps
Date of Death
13/03/1918
Age at Death
27
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Gorre British & Indian Cemetery
V E 22
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Husband of A. Parkin, of 18, Bond St., Prescot, Lancs.
Census Details
1901 Census -
The Parkin family are living at 34 Houghton Street, Newton-in-Makerfield. The family is Fred, a 49 year old Engine Shotter, his wife Beatrice, 42, and children Charles (19), Richard (16), Beatrice (12), Fred (10), Joseph (7), John (4) and George (2)
Fred Parkin marriage to Annie Jenkins registered in Q4/1913, Prescot, Volume 8b, Page 1163
The birth of Fred and Annie’s daughter, Elsie, was registered in Prescot in the December quarter of 1915, Volume 8b, Page 1260
SDGW – Where Born
Earlestown
Enlisted
Prescot
Resided
Prescot
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Formerly Private 1622 South Lancs Regt.
Brother of George & Joseph Parkin, also killed in the war
Research Ref. No.
P215
Service Details
The Parish Magazine of 29th May 1918 added 10 names to the existing 106 who had already fallen, including “Pte. Fred Parkin, 27, 5th South Lancs. Killed in Action 13th March 1918, of 18, Bond Street. Leaves a widow and one child”.
Fred Parkin's medal Index Card showing his arrival in France with the South Lancashire Regiment on 12th February 1915
Private 41801 George PARKIN
Unit/Regiment
2nd Bn., South Wales Borderers
Date of Death
15/10/1918
Age at Death
19
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Dadizeele New British Cemetery
I C 31
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Beatrice Dilworth (formerly Parkin) and Peter Dilworth (stepfather), of 28, Grosvenor Rd., Prescot, Lancs.
Census Details
1901 Census -
The Parkin family are living at 34 Houghton Street, Newton-in-Makerfield. The family is Fred, a 49 year old Engine Shotter, his wife Beatrice, 42, and children Charles (19), Richard (16), Beatrice (12), Fred (10), Joseph (7), John (4) and George (2)
Brother of Fred and Joseph Parkin, who were also killed in the war
Research Ref. No.
P216
Service Details
In October 1918, the British Army was advancing through Flanders and was just weeks away from the Armistice. The German Army had been falling back for several weeks and it was surely just a matter of time before the war came to an end.
After a successful advance from Zillebeke to Geluvelt, the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers had enjoyed a short period of rest, but this came to an end on 11th October when they returned to the line north of Gheluwe. They had two reasonably quite night here before being relieved by the 2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and they were then moved to old trenches north of Dadizeele.
One advantage that the troop had of advancing over this land was that the countryside was relatively unscathed by fighting, and when billeted they generally had a roof over their heads.However, there were also large numbers of civilians to contend with, along with the incessant German artillery.
After breakfast at 5 a.m. on the 15th October, the battalion moved up to their assembly positions. At 9 a.m. the barrage started and they advanced, their objective being the capture of the village of Salines. As they approached, however, they came under intense German machine gun fire from the left flank. “D” company peeled off to deal with this, attacking the wood which housed the German troops. Captain Dendy was killed in the assault, in which the machine gun posts were captured, their defenders being disposed of in a hand-to-hand struggle.
The remaining troops continued the advance, and despite some strong German resistance, all opposition was soon broken down. The final objective, the Courtrai-Ingleminster railway was reached before midday. Several casualties had been inflicted when the troops had advanced into the British barrage, and also the enemy shell fire and machine gun resistance had inflicted some fatalities amongst the attacking troops.
Pte. Parkin was killed at some point in the attack and was initially buried close to where he fell at Salines. There were 43 men killed and buried where they fell and after the war they were moved to the cemetery at Dadizeele.
A map of the Ypres area around the time of the SWB attack
The above is an extract from a Belgian document listing the initial burial locations of soldiers who fell in the attack.
For Private Parkin, it states, "“gehuchte Rommelen aan ingang dreef J.V.demoortele” which translates as
"in the hamlet of Rommelen, at the entrance of the drive way of Jean Vandemoortele".
The document has been kindly provided by a Belgian researcher, Bart Seynaeve, a member of the local history association "De Meiboom".
George Parkin’s Medal Index Card shows that he served with the Training Battalion of the regiment before transferring to the 2nd Battalion. The absence of a date arrived in theatre confirms that he only went overseas after January 1916.
Images of George Parkin's headstone at Dadizeele, provided by "Bart". George's headstone is on the left of the above picture
Private G/58632 Joseph PARKIN
Unit/Regiment
25th Bn, Royal Fusiliers
Date of Death
18/10/1917
Age at Death
23
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery
6 K 10
Census Details
1901 Census -
The Parkin family are living at 34 Houghton Street, Newton-in-Makerfield. The family is Fred, a 49 year old Engine Shotter, his wife Beatrice, 42, and children Charles (19), Richard (16), Beatrice (12), Fred (10), Joseph (7), John (4) and George (2)
Marriage to ? Taylor, Prescot, Q3/1916, Vol 8b, Page 1140
SDGW – Where Born
Earlestown
Enlisted
Prescot
Resided
Prescot
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
East Africa
Notes
Formerly DM/2/196243, ASC.
Brother of Fred & George Parkin who were also killed in the war
Research Ref. No.
P217
Service Details
At the outbreak of the First World War Tanzania was the core of German East Africa, with Dar es Salaam as the capital. On 8 August 1914, the first recorded British action of the war took place here, when HMS Astraea shelled the German wireless station and boarded and disabled two merchant ships - the "Konig" and the "Feldmarschall".
In 1915, the 25th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, sailed on board the s.s. “Neuralia”, arriving in Mombasa on 6th May. From then onwards, Allied forces fought a protracted and difficult campaign against a relatively small but highly skilled German force under the command of General von Lettow-Vorbeck.
In that unhealthy climate, troops suffered badly from malaria and in January 1916 reinforcements started to arrive.
Joseph Parkin had enlisted at Prescot. After training, he went overseas with the 25th Battalion. Having been based at Northhill Camp, Dover, they sailed from Plymouth on the 25th July 1917 aboard the "Corinthic" and arrived at Durban (via. Sierra Leone) on 29th August 1917. They proceeded to Congella Camp where they stayed until 11th September 1917 when the draft left Durban aboard the steamer "Princess" and arrived Lindi on the 18th (as per Battalion War Diary).
The battalion war diary states:-
“ 18/9/17
New draft of 2 Officers and 196 other ranks arrived from Durban and disembarked at Lindi. They were very badly equipped and no quinine was issued during the voyage.
19/9/17 Draft fully equipped“
The action in which Private Parkin was killed, at Nyangao, was the last one in which the 25th took part as a unit. Their War Diary finishes at the end of September so doesn't cover this action but the following detail was taken from a letter written by their C.O.
"ACTION AT NYANGAO, 17th (sic.) OCTOBER 1917
An attack was being delivered by several Battalions against the enemy holding a lone line. No impression could be made. The Fusiliers, now sadly reduced after long service, consisting of about 40 rifles, with Lewis and Machine Guns, total strength about 106, were sent forward. They got into the enemy positions but were not supported; it would appear that the others retired. The Fusiliers isolated, held their own and fought with their usual courage for several hours being attacked in front and flank. After sustaining some 70 casualties, they were relieved by the Nigerians.
All the officers, including Capt. Ryan (killed) who was in command, were either killed or wounded, Capt. Lloyd being shot through the head. After this engagement the Fusiliers were sent home. Every man present in this engagement must have fought like a hero. Unfortunately, I was sent back by the Doctors some days before.
(Sd) D.P. Driscoll, Lt. Col."
Joseph Parkin’s body was recovered after the action and he now rests in Dar-es-Salaam War cemetery.
The Parish Magazine of 25th March 1918 added 6 names to the existing 100 who had already fallen, including “Pte. Joseph Parkin, 23, Royal Fusiliers. Killed in Action in East Africa, 18th October 1917. 22 Scotch Barn Lane, he leaves a widow”.
Joseph Parkin’s Medal Index Card. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Lance Corporal 15539 Thomas PARRY
Unit/Regiment
11th Bn., East Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death
02/07/1916
Age at Death
24
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Thiepval Memorial
Pier and Face 6C
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Son of Thomas and Mary Jane Parry, of II, Darlington St., Coppull, Chorley, Lancs
Census Details
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
SDGW – Where Born
Rainhill, Lancs
Enlisted
Chorley, Lancs
Resided
How Died
Killed In Action
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
CWGC states date of death as 01/07/1916
Research Ref. No.
P218
Research ongoing
Thomas Parry’s Medal Index Card lists his entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal
Private TR3/83866 Redvers Samuel PEMBERTON
Unit/Regiment
52nd Grad. Bn., King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Date of Death
07/07/1918
Age at Death
18
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Prescot Churchyard
NP 174
Census Details
1901 Census -
The 1 year old Redvers Pemberton lived at 7 Cyprus Street, Prescot, with his parents Samuel (41, a foreman screwmaker in the watchworks)) and Mary (39), and siblings Thomas (18), Robert (9), Jacob (7) and Annie (5). Younger brother of Thomas, who was also killed in the war,
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q1/1900, Prescot, 8b, 775
Death Registered Q2/1918, Ipswich, 4a, 952
SDGW – Where Born
Enlisted
Warrington, Lancs
Resided
Prescot, Lancs
How Died
Died
Theatre of War
Home
Notes
Redvers headstone also contains an inscription to his brother, Thomas, who was also killed in the war
Research Ref. No.
P219
Research ongoing
The Pemberton family grave in Prescot Churchyard
Private 37825 Thomas F William PEMBERTON
Unit/Regiment
2nd Bn., Manchester Regiment
Date of Death
19/06/1917
Age at Death
34
Burial/Memorial & Reference
Nieuwpoort Communal Cemetery
I B 14
CWGC Family Details
(if shown)
Husband of Grace Pemberton, of 186, Victoria St., Chadderton, Oldham.
Census Details
1901 Census -
Thomas lived at 7 Cyprus Street, Prescot, with his father Samuel, a 41 year old watchmaker - Foreman screwmaker, mother Mary (39), and siblings Robert (9), Jacob (7), Annie (5) and Redvers (1). Thomas is shown to be a Bricklayers Apprentice.
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
Birth Registered Q1/1883, Prescot, 8b, 750
Marriage to Grace Toman, Q2/1906, Prescot, 8b, 1222
SDGW – Where Born
Prescot, Lancs
Enlisted
Chadderton, Lancs
Resided
How Died
Died of Wounds
Theatre of War
France & Flanders
Notes
Brother of Redvers Pemberton, who was also killed in the war.
Research Ref. No.
P220
Service Details
On 6th January 1917, the battalion left Halloy after receiving sizeable drafts from England, marching to Beauval, then by bus to Bertrancourt, where it remained until February 1917
On the 25th February they took over trenches from the French near Fresnoy, occupying dug-outs at Bouchoir or billets at Beauvois. They remainder here for several weeks, before on the 1st April they Chateau Pomery.
They were ordered to take Savy Wood, also known as Manchester Quarry. The brigade moved at midnight and approached the wood from the west. The attack commenced at dawn and was successful with the battalion taking its objective of Francilly-Selency and reaching the outskirts of San Quentin. The battalion also captured a battery of 77mm field guns, and action for which Private Overton was recommended for the Victoria Cross. 2 officers and 10 other ranks were killed in action, with 7 officers and 52 other ranks wounded.
On the 14th April, the battalion was in support of a French attack on San Quentin and lost a further 30 men.
On the 1st June the battalion moved to Bailleul, in reserve for battle of Messines. On 13th June they moved to Eecke area and then moved on to Nieuport via Tergedem on the 15th. The battalion remained there for some time ‘taking it’s share of trench duty and carrying out occasional raids’.
As part of this attrition, Thomas Pemberton died of wounds received. His burial at Nieuwpoort Communal Cemetery suggests that he had been treated at a Casualty Clearing Station behind the lines, but succumbed to his injuries.
The Parish Magazine of 28th June 1917 reported “The following are deaths in action, all in France or Belgium” and included “Sapper Thomas William Pemberton, 36, of 32, Cyprus Street, R.E., killed 19th June 1917. Has left a widow and three children”.
Thomas Pemberton’s Medal Index Card. His medal entitlement is shown as the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He has no date of entry into theatre, which shows that he did not serve overseas until after January 1916
Private Pemberton’s grave at Nieuwpoort and (below) the inscription on the family grave at Prescot
