Roo - Row

Private 9439 William ROONEY

Unit/Regiment	2nd Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers
Date of Death	26/08/1914		Age at Death		32
Burial/Memorial & Reference	La Fert-Sous-Jouarre Memorial
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Son of James Rooney, of 1, High St., Prescot, Lancs.
Census Details	1891 Census - The family comprising James (35) and Elizabeth (34) and children John (15), Mary (13), Margaret (11), William (9), Ellen (6), James (4) and Martin (1) were living at 29 Highfield Place, Prescot 1901 Census - The family are shown to be still living at 29 Highfield Place, Prescot. James Rooney (49) is a general labourer and is living with his wife Elizabeth (45) and children William (18, a colliery drawer), James (13), Martin (10) and 4 year old Elizabeth.
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Birth registered Q1/1883, Prescot, 8b, 751
SDGW – Where Born	St. Helens, Lancs	Enlisted		Warrington, Lancs	Resided	Prescot, Lancs
How Died	Killed In Action			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Notes
Research Ref. No.	P246

Service Details

Private Rooney was a regular soldier with the 2^nd Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. The battalion were quickly mobilised on the outbreak of war, and on the 22nd of August they moved to Southampton, where they embarked on board the s.s. “Saturnia” for France.

They arrived in Boulogne the next day and after camping over night, they then travelled by train to Bertry, from where they marched to Ligny. Having stayed here overnight on the 23rd, later the next day they undertook a night march to Viesly, effectively marching straight into battle on the 25th.

After the night march the battalion partly entrenched just before they came under heavy attack for over 3 hours. They were heavily outnumbered (it was estimated that the Germans used 90-150 field guns against them).

The Battalion War Diary for the 26^th reads as follows (abbreviations have been expanded where possible).

3.45 am.

Battalion (2/20^th) reached Longsart Ferme. The ground was a boggy stretch of moorland. It was still pitch dark, there were no guides and the tool limbers had stuck fast 2 miles back. C.O. went in search of the 1/4^th; 2^nd in command posted picquets. When light came C.O. began to site trenches. B.G.C 12^th I.B. arrived and pointed out where the trenches were to be dug- some distance in rear of the original position. Also he ordered that some should be dug for 1/4^th who were entangled in the transport some distance back.

Griffin & Woodman marked one line; Roffey and Ward settled the second line. Men very tired but set to work digging at once with their “grubbers”.

Shortly after dawn a French Cavalry patrol reported to C.O. that the front was clear for miles.

5.45 am.

Shallow trenches completed by ‘A’, ‘.C’ & ‘D’ Companies. Only 2 platoons of ‘A’ had trenches quite ready for occupation. ‘B’ in reserve. 1 platoon of ‘A’ behind a small bank. Transport of battalion reached Longsart Ferme & breakfast was prepared. 1 Sgt. & 10 men of ‘D’ acted as covering party and went about 300 yards to Left front of Battalion line. From this point no British or French troops were seen to the Left. After a short interval fire was opened on this post from the Right front and from machine guns in the corn-stooks. The Sergeant was severely wounded and was kicked into a quarry by the Germans.

6. 00 am.

1/4^th arrived and sat down in ¼ col. to await the issue of their tools. Part of ‘A’ of our battalion also moved down to draw some tools, when a heavy fire from machine guns and shells burst over the 1/4^th who suffered heavily. After 1/4^th had got under cover, this fire turned to 2/20^th. It was thought that a German Maxim Battery turned onto the Battalion at 1000 yards range. German Cavalry led the attack; but after their guns had opened dense masses of infantry issued from wood and farm buildings. The 2 machine guns in 2/20^th now came into action between the 2 companies. 1 gun jammed at once and was taken to Longsart for the armourer to attend to it. The other did good execution. It was moved several times to fire more effectively.

The Left flank of the Battalion gave cause for anxiety. It was supported by 1 company of 56 men.

The Left Company of the 2/20^th was now withdrawn by the Company Commander (Ward). The 2^nd in command who had visited the Left thought it should be withdrawn further back; but Vandeleur (56) considered it should remain as it was. The main force of the attack had been thrown on the Right flank, but it suddenly developed with greater force against the Left and the Germans advanced against Ward’s company who suffered heavily. In trying to get touch with Vandeleur the 2^nd in command was seriously wounded & Vandeleur himself was also shot. Ward’s company and the Left platoon of ‘A’ were now much harassed my machine gun fire. It was not long before all the officers of ‘D’ were killed or wounded. The effect of the enfilade fire was severe and Germans were seen working round the Left flank. Retirement was clearly necessary. ‘A’ company withdrew to the cover of a hedge. Sidebottom’s company (Sidebottom was in Moody’s ‘C’ company, apparently Moody had been wounded by this time) followed. Many were killed and wounded in this operation and the Germans reached within 200 yards and a machine gun was particularly deadly. Sidebottom collected a party to rush it, but fell dead before the attempt was made. Lt Humfrey & Sgt. Roach carried off the machine gun of the 2/20^th. The unequal contest between line of infantry and massed guns & machine guns lasted 3 hours.

9. 00 am

2/20^th rallied on a saddle-back ridge and opened fire on the pursuers, who came on in dense column with their rifles held against hips. Assisted by our artillery, the 2/20^th, under Capt. Woodman, with Capt Spooner and Lt Crosse assisting him, held the ridge. As the German advance was checked the 2/20^th withdrew a few hundred yards and the 3 officers rounded up and gathered others together and attempted to establish touch with Brigade Staff. A heavy shell fire now opened on the Battalion and cover was taken behind a farm building which soon fell to ruins.

2pm

It was thought that the Germans had in action in this section of the field from 90 to 150 guns. The whole sector as far back as Selvigny, was thoroughly searched. The bulk of the 12^th Infantry Brigade was ordered back to Selvigny, some troops being left above Haucourt to cover the retirement of our guns. One of these parties consisted of men collected by Capt. Davenport. By this time 2/20^th and 108^th were considerably intermingled. Various parties of the 2/20^th assembled on the road under the C. O. (Major Griffin) and were ordered by the staff of the Fourth Division to march until 10pm when they billeted in some farm buildings.

The casualties on 26^th were

2 officers killed

3 officers wounded

10 officers wounded and missing, 2 of these rejoined later

402 NCO’s and men failed to answer roll that night. By 9^th Sept 143 of these rejoined which leaves 259 NCO’s and men killed, wounded and missing on 26^th August.

Private William Rooney was one of the men who fell in this desperate fighting. As with most of the men who fell that day, he has no known grave and is remembered on the La Fert-Sous-Jouarre Memorial

The Parish Magazine of 27^th November reported the death as follows. “Pte. William Rooney aged 31 of the Lancashire Fusiliers who is now known to have fallen in September 1914 during the retreat from Mons”.

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Private Rooney’s Medal Index Card shows his entitlement to the 1914 Star as he arrived in France on 22^nd August 1914. He was also entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, and is further shown to have died of wounds.

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Private Rooney’s inscription on the La Fert-Sous-Jouarre Memorial

Private 13143 Thomas ROSCOE

P325-a

Unit/Regiment	10^th Bn., Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Date of Death	21/11/1917		Age at Death		32
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Croisilles British Cemetery II C 12
Census Details
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
SDGW – Where Born	Little Neston, Cheshire	Enlisted		St Helens	Resided	Parkgate, Cheshire
How Died				Theatre of War
Notes
Research Ref. No.	P325

Service Record

The Parish Magazine of 26^th January 1918 reported “To our Roll of Honour must be added the following: Pte. Thomas Roscoe, 32, of the Dublin Fusiliers, of 33 Moss Street”.

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Thomas Roscoe’s Medal Index Card recording his arrival at Gallipoli on 7^th August 1915

Private 61142 Thomas Sellman ROSE

Unit/Regiment	18th Bn., Manchester Regiment
Date of Death	23/12/1917		Age at Death		19
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Tyne Cot Memorial Panel 120 to 124 and 162 to 162A and 163A
Census Details	1901 Census - Living at Tarbock Green, Tarbock, were Henry Rose, a 44 year old Poultry Farmer and his wife Sarah, 40. Their children were Henry (12), Annie (11), William (8), Edward (7), James (4), Thomas (2) and an un-named 10 day old Baby Boy.
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Birth Registered Q4/1898, Prescot, 8b, 677
SDGW – Where Born	Prescot, Lancs	Enlisted		Widnes, Lancs	Resided	Hough Green, Lancs
How Died	Killed In Action			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Notes
Research Ref. No.	P247

Service Details

In late 1917, the 18^th Battalion was in the Ypres sector, following on from the Third Battle of Ypres. The entries in the regimental diary are reproduced below”;-

“4th November

The battalion was relieved by the 2nd Royal Scots and went in to support.

8th

The Battalion moved by bus to St Jean camp in the Ypres area where it remained until the 24th supplying work and carrying parties for the Canadians.

25th

The Battalion was relieved by the 17th Sherwood Foresters and marched to Swan Chateau where it remained supplying work parties.

11th December

The Battalion relieved the 2nd Bedfordshire's in the Polderhoek sector of the front line. At 2.00am on the 14th a message was received from Brigade HQ that the enemy was preparing an attack on the Battalion's sector. The troops in the line were stood to and at 6.00am the attack began accompanied by a heavy trench mortar and artillery barrage. The German troops appeared on the wire some 30 to 50yards away and tried to bomb their way towards and along the trenches, but were beaten off. About 10.00am the battalion was reinforced by 2 companies of the 17th Manchester's-about 70 in number- and between 4 and 5pm 2 companies of the 2nd Royal Scots also reinforced. About 8.00pm a counter attack took place and, although the enemy put up stiff resistance they were beaten back. Bombing blocks were established and the battles continued all of the day. In the early hours of the 15th the men, greatly exhausted were replaced at the bombing blocks by the 2nd Royal Scots. At 8.00am the enemy had established themselves in shell holes only 20 yards in front of the front line. They were held at bay until the supply of bombs ran out and the men then fell back to the support trenches. It was decided that this position was to be evacuated and the line was established in a stronger position 100 yards to the rear.

Losses in the above actions were:

1 Officer and 119 Other ranks Killed, Wounded or Missing.

18th

At 8.00pm the Battalion were relieved by the 2nd Royal Scots and the 18th moved back to Forester camp where they remained until the 16th.

18th - 21st

The Battalion were training and supplying work parties.

22nd

Christmas services were held and the rest of the day was treated as a holiday. Special Christmas dinners were provided for the men and a concert was given by the "Blue Birds"-the divisional concert troupe.

24th

The Battalion relieved the 2nd Royal Scots in Brigade Reserve in Torr Top Tunnels.

27th

The Battalion relieved the 17th Manchester's astride the Menin road and remained there until the 30th.”

From this it can be seen that there was no mention of any action or casualties on 23^rd December. This suggests that Private Rose was a victim of the daily trench attrition, He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate memorial.

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Thomas Rose’s Medal Index Card

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Thomas Rose’s inscription on the Tyne Cot memorial

Private 16052 Thomas ROUGHLEY

Unit/Regiment	2nd Bn, Royal Irish Regiment
Date of Death	16/03/1918		Age at Death		29
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Tincourt New British Cemetery V C28
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Husband of J. Roughley, of Sewell St, Prescot, Lancs.
Census Details	1901 Census - Aged 12, Thomas is living with his parents Thomas (47, a coal miner) and Catherine (5) at 9, Derby Square, Prescot. Also there are Thomas' brothers George (23), Edward (21), James (15) and sisters Margaret (19) and Katie (8).
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations	Marriage to Jessie Case, Q2/1914, Prescot, 8b, 1226
SDGW – Where Born	Prescot, Lancs	Enlisted		Ormskirk, Lancs	Resided
How Died	Died of Wounds			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Notes
Research Ref. No.	P248

Service Details

As well as serving with the Royal Irish Regiment, Thomas Roughley also served as Private 65055 with the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. It is not known when he originally enlisted or when he transferred from the King’s to the RIR,

The Parish Magazine of 25^th March 1918 added 6 names to the existing 100 who had already fallen, including “Pte. Thomas Roughley, 28, 2^nd Royal Irish regiment. Killed in France, 16^th March 1918, of Sewell Street. Leaves a widow and one child”.

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Thomas Roughley’s Medal Index Card showing his service with both the Liverpool Regiment and Royal Irish Regiment. His entitlement was to the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Private 22391 Henry ROUGHSEDGE

Unit/Regiment	11th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment
Date of Death	14/07/1917		Age at Death		35
Burial/Memorial & Reference	Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery XVI B 9A
CWGC Family Details (if shown)	Son of Thomas Henry and Sarah Agnes Roughsedge, of Tunnel Top, Dutton, Preston Brook, Warrington, Lancs.
Census Details	1911 Census - Henry was living as a Boarder at Victoria Villa in Rainhill, the home of Alfred Jones, the Station Master. Henry was 27 and unmarried, and was working as a Clerk for the Prescot Board of Guardians.
Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations
SDGW – Where Born	Dutton, Ches.	Enlisted		St Helens, Lancs	Resided	Prescot, Lancs
How Died	Died of Wounds			Theatre of War	France & Flanders
Notes
Research Ref. No.	P249

Service Details
On 8th April 1916 when Henry Roughsedge attested into the army,he recorded his age as 31 years and 7 months and stated that he was the Workhouse Master's Assistant. He was unmarried. He recorded his next of kin as his mother, Sarah Roughsedge, of Preston Brook, near Warrington. He was immediately assigned to the Army Reserve and it was not until 19th April 1916 that he was posted to the 13th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment.

Henry was sentenced to 5 days "Confined to Barracks" on 27th July 1916 for having "Dirty Entrenching Shafts on Parade". After his initial training, he went to France on 27th August 1916, still with the 13th Battalion of the regiment. Then on 5th September 1916, he was tranferred to the strength of the 11th Battalion of the regiment.

Ultimately, in May 1917 the Battalion moved to Palace Camp, near Dickebusch in Flanders. They were now in the infamous Ypres Salient. Although their main tasks were the construction of roads and light railways, they were involved in the construction of fire trenches, and in fact were tasked with this on their first night in the line.

The battalion was based in a school to the east of Ypres in an area know to be “an unhealthy spot”. They stayed there until 13th June when severe casualties were caused by salvoes of high explosives and gas shells. They moved on the 14th to new dugouts on the railway embankment, but these were under fire just as much as the school.

In June, casualties were 2 officers and 17 other ranks killed, with 3 officers and 126 other ranks wounded. Almost all of the casualties were incurred whilst in their billets, which illustrates how dangerous it was, even out of the front line.In July, the battalion were heavily involved in preparations for the forthcoming offensive, which came to be know as the Third Battle of Ypres. More commonly, it is known as Passchendaele. Much of the battalion’s work was on the communications systems, and they were heavily attacked by German artillery. Over the course of the month, they lost 2 officers and 8 other
ranks killed, including Private Roughsedge, and 2 officers and 91 other ranks wounded.

Private Roughsedge's records show that he was wounded ("Gunshot Wound to the back") on 13th July 1917, and “Died of Wounds” the following day at No 3 (Canadian) Casualty Clearing Station. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

The War Office wrote to the Army records Office on 27th December 1917 to advise that any personal effects of Henry were to be sent to his father, Thomas, at the family home in Preston Brook. It is not clear what effects were returned, but Thomas wrote to the Army Records Office on January 1918 to confirm receipt.

The records Office wrote again to the family on January 2nd 1920 to ask for full details of Henry Roughsedge's family in

order that they could determine to whom his medals, plaque and scroll might be presented.His father replied confirming that himself and Henry's mother Sarah as parents, and also listing two brothers "P Roughsedge", aged 27 and "S Roughsedge", aged 23. Henry also had sisters "S Roughsedge, aged 34", "C Roughsedge, aged 30", "L Roughsedge, aged 32" and "M Roughsedge, aged 25".

On 8th March 1922, his father, Thomas Henry Roughsedge, acknowledged receipt of his British War Medal and Victory Medal.

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Henry Roughsedge’s Medal Index Card

P249-2

The CWGC headstone of Private Roughsedge

Lieutenant Charles Henry ROWED

P250-1

Prescot Reporter 22/09/1916

Unit/Regiment

1st/5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment

Date of Death

09/09/1916

Age at Death

Burial/Memorial & Reference

Thiepval Memorial

Pier and Face 7A and 7B

CWGC Family Details

(if shown)

Son of Charles and Christina Rowed, of Eccleston Park, Prescot, Lancs.

Census Details

1901 Census -

Living at "Holmleigh" in Eccleston Park were Charles Rowed, a 46 year old medicine manufacturer, his wife Christina (nee Davidson Goldsmith), 39, and children Marion (12), Christina (8) and Charles (7)

Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations

Birth Registered Q2/1894, Prescot, 8b, 691

Notes

Charles Rowed is the single employee of Parr's Bank who is named on the memorial which once stood in the bank but now resides in the archives of the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The name of Charles Rowed is included on the memorial at Christ Church in Eccleston.

Research Ref. No.

P250

Service Details

The staff Salary Book for the Prescot Branch of Parr’s Bank, which are now held at Prescot Museum (reference number 2008.026.0001), show that Charles Henry Rowed joined the Liverpool Branch on 21st February 1911 as an apprentice at a starting salary of £20 per annum. Shortly afterwards, in April 1911, he transferred to the Prescot Branch and was still working there at the outbreak of war, by which time his salary had risen to £45 per annum.

Charles Rowed arrived in France with reinforcements for the 5th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment on 12th July 1915. The battalion was billeted at Forceville in mid-Jul to early August, when it moved to trenches in the Auchonvillers section. They remained there, with rest billets at Maillly-Maillet, until 29th October when they retired to Bertencourt for training and work party assignment. The casualties suffered in this period were a result of the intermittent artillery and mortar fire, as well as constant sniping.

The Regimental history does not record details of any significant actions for the remainder of 1915 and into the spring and early summer of 1916. Although the Battle of the Somme had commenced on 1^st July, the battalion, part of 55^th Division, was only engaged with active patrolling and sniping. On 22^nd July, they received orders to move south and on the 25^th, they arrived at billets inn Ville-sous-Corbie.

On 8^th August, the battalion was ordered to 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 10^th, 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 10^th, they were withdrawn to bivouac and then on the 12^th returned to the line at Maltz Horn Farm.

On the 13^th, “D” Company of the battalion worked in partnership with French units to clear German forces from an area known as Cochrane Alley, specifically to take an isolated German trench. Unfortunately, the French failed to take their objectives and the British attack came under withering German machine gun fire, which drove the men back. The battalion was withdrawn on the 15^th, this time to billets at Meulte. In three days of fighting they had lost 3 officers and 80 other ranks – slight losses in comparison to other units at that time.

They remained out of the line until 5^th September when they were sent to occupy support trenches in front of Delville Wood. This was a notoriously “unhealthy” place to be at that time and the battalion was kept busy digging strong points and communications trenches, usually under heavy enemy artillery fire.

On the 9^th the battalion was sent up to the front trenches on the German side of the wood, and that afternoon an attack on Ale and Hop alleys took place. Unfortunately, the attack was unsuccessful and the Germans counter-attacked, almost breaking through the British lines. At night, the situation was still obscure and contact with the troops of the 1654^th Brigade had been lost.

The regimental history does not note the number of casualties, but CWGC records show that 3 officers and 12 other ranks of the battalion were lost on the 9^th September. Amongst them was Lt. Rowed. His body was never identified and he is remembered on the Thiepval memorial.

The Battalion War Diary for the period around Rowed’s death is reproduced below.

Sept 7

Btn out at night digging Strong Points 300’ in advance of front line trenches held by 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt. Four Strong Points dug and Communication Trench from original front line to Right Strong Point. Casualties 4 Officers 40 O Ranks.

Sept 8

Strong Points were garrisoned by 1 Officer and 20 O.R. and Communication Trench held by 2 Officers and 60 O.R. About 10am an enemy 5.9 Battery heavily enfiladed near Communication Trench and badly damaged it. During the night Strong Points were completed and connected up under very accurate sniping fire in spite of this work was well done and fully completed. Casualties 4 Officers 45 O.R.

Sept 9

After completion of digging, relieved 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt and completed relief by 5am. 164 Bde attacked ALE and HOP ALLEY on our right at 4.45pm. Attack failed and enemy pressed our Barricade NE Corner of DELVILLE WOOD. ‘C’ Coy sent up from support and barricade held. During the night Patrols were unable to get touch along E edge of WOOD with 164 Bde position not clear as enemy were reported to be bombing their way through E side of WOOD.

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The London Times of 2^nd March 1915 reported various promotions and appointments, including that of Charles Rowed.

P250-3

Charles Rowed’s Medal Index Card (above) incorrectly records that he died on 8^th September instead of the 9^th. His entitlement to the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal is shown. The reverse of the card, shown below, includes the address of his mother, to whom his medals were sent

Prescot Reporter 22^nd September 1916

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The memorial plaque to Charles Rowed located inside Prescot Parish Church