Also Served



	Also Served - Surnames A to H Whilst undertaking the research into the men of Prescot who fell in the Great War, I came across details of many more men who served and returned, some unharmed and some injured. Although the principal aim of the web site is to commemorate the men who fell, I feel that it is important to also remember those who served. Their story is told on the "Also Served" pages although there is generally not as much detail as in the Casualty sections. These pages will develop over time as I add details to them, so please keep an eye on "What's New" on the Home Page to check when it has been updated. if you have a relative who served in the war and you can't find any details on the site, please email me at the address above and I will investigate and hopefully come across details of his service. Richard ACKERS 16, Cross Street, Prescot Gunner 84821, Royal Garrison Artillery In 1911, the census showed Richard to be working as a Butler at 24 Hans Road, SW London, the home of George Armstrong. Richard, who had been born in Prescot, was aged 32 and living with him were his wife Bessie, also 32 and a native of Edinburgh, and their 1 year old daughter Mary. Richard Ackers attested into the RGA on 16th May 1916 at Liverpool. By this time he lived at 16, Cross Street in Prescot, and recorded his age as 34. He worked as a Store Keeper. He recorded his next of kin as his wife, Bessie (nee Lang), of the same address. They had married on 14th August 1904 at the Registry Office in Kensington, London. They had three children; Mary Elizabeth (b. 8th November 1909), Norman (12th November 1911) and John (29th October 1914). Richard Ackers attested into the RGA on 16th May 1916 at Liverpool. He lived at 16, Cross Street in Prescot, was 34 years old and worked as a Store Keeper. He recorded his next of kin as his wife, Bessie (nee Lang), of the same address. They had married on 14th August 1904 at the Registry Office in Kensington, London. They had three children; Mary Elizabeth (b. 8th November 1909), Norman (12th November 1911) and John (29th October 1914). He was posted to Fort Brockhurst at Gosport (Isle of Wight) where he underwent his training, then on 9th September 1917 he was sent to France. He remained there for just over a year before being granted Furlough on 1st October 1918, rejoining the battalion on the 15th. Richard was finally discharged on 10th March 1919. His medal entitlement was to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Richard died in Prescot in 1954, aged 72 Frederick William AMBRIDGE 81 Derby Street, Prescot In Warrington on 27th April 1918, Frederick William Ambridge attested for military service with the Grenadier Guards as Guardsman number 35045. He was 30 years old, single and worked as a Police Constable in Prescot. His religion was Church of England and he stated his next of kin as his mother, Mrs Elizabeth Ambridge of the Bowling Green, Forden near Welshpool. He was posted overseas on 29th October 1918, joining the 1st Battalion at the front on 1st November. He remained in France with the Guards until embarking at Dunkirk for England on 4th March 1919, and he was demobilised on 13th April 1919. Frederick married Elsie Youell in Prestwich in 1921. He died in Manchester in 1966, aged 79 Frederick Bond AMES 22, Hope Street, Prescot Private 3461, No 2 Coy., 1st Bn., Welsh Guards In the 1911 census, the Ames family lived at 40 Eccleston Street, Prescot. Samuel Henry Ames was a 49 year old Grocer, Bread and Confectionary Maker. He had been married to Mary, aged 50, for 29 years and of their eight children, four were still living. Frederick was 21, single and a Grocer’s Assistant (presumably working for his father), Annie was 19, single and a Bread Maker, and the other two children were Mary (16) and Ethel (12). On 9th December 1915, Frederick Ames attested into the Welsh Guards. He was 25 years and 9 months old (born in 1890), a Baker and grocer of 22, Hope Street, Prescot. He was 5 foot 6 inches tall. He was a married man, his wife being Ella Beatrice Ames (nee Jowett) of the same address. They had married at the Wesleyan Chapel, Prescot, on 12th July 1915. They had two children; Frederick Henry Ames, born 15th November 1915 in Prescot, and Dorothy Mary Ames, born 24th March 1917 at Whiston. He noted that he had previous military service with the Royal Army Medical Corps. Frederick was immediately posted to the Army Reserve and was only mobilised on 17th November 1916. He went to France on 27th May 1917. On 7th October 1918 whilst serving in France, he suffered slight burns as a result of an accident with a bomb (grenade). The incident report stated that Pte. Ames was sitting in a trench when another soldier, Cpl. 1876 H. Gilbert, threw a grenade into the trench and it exploded. The incident was deemed to be accidental although Cpl. Gilbert was sent to face a Court Martial. Pte. Ames was admitted to hospital on 9th October then moved to the hospital at Etaples on 11th October where he remained until 13th November, then being discharged to the Base Depot. He rejoined his unit on the 18th December and stayed with them through to 11th March 1919 when he embarked at Dunkirk for the UK. He was demobilised to the Army Reserve on 17th October 1919 but he rejoined the Royal Corps of Signals on 3rd October 1921, then serving under number 2557402. Frederick died in Prescot in 1930, aged 40. William ATHERTON 67, Houghton Street, Prescot Private 2900, 5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment Living at 67, Houghton Street, Prescot at the time of the 1911 census, William Atherton was a 33 year old Foreman Joiner. With his were Esther, his wife of 12 years, and daughters Ellen (12) and Evelyn (11). William attested to the South Lancs. Regiment in Prescot on 22nd September 1914 at the age of 34 years 9 months. His next of kin was his wife, Esther, of 67, Houghton Street, Prescot. He stated that he had previously served for 11 years with the battalion as part of the Territorial Force. However, this time he only served for 49 days, being discharged as “Medically Unfit” on 9th November 1914 at St. Helens. James William BALDWIN 25, Carlton Street, Prescot The Baldwin family lived at 25, Carlton Street, Prescot, at the time of the 1911 census. 32 year old James was a Copper Wire Winder at the Wire Works. With him were his wife Annie (33) and children James (8), Annie (4) and Alice (2). James attested to the 5th Battalion (Territorial Force), South Lancashire regiment, at Prescot on 5th April 1908, at which time he was aged 30 and lived at 25, Carlton Street, Prescot. He had previously served with the Lancashire Yeomanry. He had married his wife Annie, nee Preston, in Liverpool in 1903 and they had four children; James William (b. 26/04/1903), Annie (10/04/1907), Mary (04/04/1909) and William (27/02/1915).. As a Territorial, he attended annual training camps with the battalion at Peel (Isle of Man) in 1908, Caerwys (N. Wales) in 1909, and Caton in Lancashire in 1910-1914. He was called up for full time service on 5th August 1914, the day after war was declared and promoted to Lance Corporal on 22nd February 1915. He sailed for France from Southampton on 27th September 1916, arriving in Rouen the following day and after serving with the battalion until 8th October 1916, James was transferred to the 4th Reserve Battalion of the Yorks and Lancaster Regiment. In January 1917 he contracted bronchitis and was hospitalised, eventually being sent home to the UK on 6th February 1917. This was followed by transfer to the Labour Corps on 30th June 1917 and he remained with this body until the end of the war, being demobilised on 9th March 1919. He was entitled to the Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Herbert BALMER 11, Houghton Street, Prescot Private, South Lancashire Regiment In the 1911 census, the Balmer family are recorded as living at 14, Houghton Street, Prescot. Jospeh Balmer, a 57 year old Coal Miner, and his wife Martha (46) had been married for 26 years, with 9 of their 12 children surviving, and 7 of them living with their parents. Herbert (24) was single and worked as a Coal Miner, Joseph (15) was a Mineral Water Bottler, Emily (11) and Lily (10 were at school and the remainder of the family was Edith (7), Mary (5) and Maud (2). Herbert Balmer attested to the South Lancashire Regiment on 21st September 1914. His address was 11 Houghton Street, Prescot. The forms recorded that he was born on 21st November 1889. His next of kin is noted as Elizabeth Balmer, his wife, at the same address. He was 24years and 10 months old, stood 5ft 3in tall and had a chest measuring 36 inches, expandable by a further inch. His vision and physical development were noted as “Good” and he was declared fit for military service. He underwent training and eventually embarked for France on 4th May 1916, arriving there the following day. He remained in France until 15th December 1918. Pte. Balmer’s medical record notes a Gun Shot Wound to his right thigh on 21st September 1917. This would have almost certainly been incurred at the 3rd Battle of Ypres, better known as Passchendaele. His medal entitlement was the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He reenlisted as a Private in the Royal Corps of Signals on 31st May 1926. James BEESLEY 25, Beaconsfield Street, Prescot Private 113, 5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment The Beesley family lived at 25, Beaconsfield Street in the 1911 census. 30 year old James was a Labourer at the Wire Works. Also at the address were his wife Sarah (32) and children Elsie May (9), Charlotte (6), Edith (4), Amy (3) and James (1). Attesting on 11th April 1908 into the Territorial Force, James Beesley recorded that he was aged 27 years and 10 months and that he worked as a Machine Attendant at British Insulated and Helsby Cables Ltd. He was married and lived at 25, Beaconsfield Street. His wife was Sarah Catherine Beesley and they had four daughters - Elsie May, Charlotte, Edith and Amy. Later, the family moved to 52, St Helens Road, Prescot. He had previously served with the Prince of Wales Volunteers, as the regiment was then known, from 2nd February 1899. He attended annual training camp each year from 1908 through to 1913 then was called up on the outbreak of war in August 1914. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 28th September 1915 and retained this post until his discharge on 10th April 1916. He did not serve overseas in this period. John BERRY 21 High Street, Prescot Private 21688, 11th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment John Berry attested into the 11th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment in St Helens on 16th May 1915. He was a 38 year old widower, worked as a Labourer and lived at 21, High Street, Prescot. He recorded his next of kin as his daughter, Edith Baines, of Claughton Street, St Helens. His deceased wife was Mary, nee Woodward, and in addition to Edith they had children Charles, Himmen and William. He was posted on 27th September 1915 and then in December of that year he was transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion of the Manchester regiment. He was then discharged on 16th February 1916 as being no longer fit for military service. This was due to a fracture of his leg from over 30 years earlier, the old injury being aggravated by military service. John Berry did not see overseas service. Richard BEVAN 54, Rowson Street, Prescot Private 3364, 5th (Reserve) Bn., South Lancashire Regiment Attesting for Military Service on 9th November 1914, Richard Bevan was 23 years 8 months old. He reported that he lived at 54 Rowson Street, Prescot. His next of kin was listed as his wife, "M Bevan" at the same address. He was discharged on 22nd October 1915 due to being Medically Unfit, finally leaving the service on 1st November 1915. He did not see overseas service. Richard died in Prescot in 1954, aged 63 Gilbert BLACK 46, Market Place, Prescot 13058, Royal Navy Born 5th August 1896, Prescot. Gilbert is shown on the 1911 census living at 46, Market Place, Prescot. He is 14 years old and working as a Machine Guider. His father, John (47) is a Green Grocer. Also at the address are his mother Mary Ellen (40), and siblings Alfred(20), John (18), Ernest (11), Edward (8), Mary Ellen (5), Maud (2) and James (6 months). Gilbert joined the Royal Navy on 4th September 1912 in Liverpool, recording that his next of kin was his mother, Mary Ellen Black. He recorded his trade as “Collier”. He was immediately assigned to the Royal Marines as a Private, serving with the Artillery, was promoted to Gunner on 7th September 1913 and he still held this rank at the outbreak of war. Promoted again to Bombardier in December 1915, he then embarked for overseas service on 31st January 1917, although it is not clear where he served. He was again promoter, this time to Corporal, on 16th March 1918 and held this rank until he was invalided out of the service on 11th September 1919. Gilbert Black appeared on the list of Roman Catholic men serving with the forces which appeared in the Prescot reporter in May 1915. Gilbert married Jessie Heard in Prescot in 1926 and they had a son, William, born in 1928. Gilbert died in Prescot in 1974 at the age of 78. John BLUNDELL 8, Pottery Fields, Prescot Bugler, 5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment. Listed in the Prescot Reporter “List of all local men who have enlisted” in 1915. Pictured in the Prescot Reporter with a caption “son of Wm Blundell, Captain of Prescot Fire Brigade” No further service details identified Arthur BONNEY 21, Eldon Street, St Helens Arthur Bonney was born in St Helens in 1878, one of at least 6 sons of William Bonney, a Plasterer, and his wife Emily. The family lived in Fenton Street in the 1881 census and College Street by the 1891 census. Then in late 1900, Arthur married Edith Emily Archer in St Helens and by the time of the 1901 census, they were living at 56 Eldon Street. It was probably no coincidence that they lived next door to Arthur’s parents, who by this time were at number 54. Arthur was employed as a Sheet Glass worker. They had moved further along Eldon Street, to number 21, by the time of 1911 census, which shows them to have children Daniel (9), Doris (8), Ernest (6), William (3) and Joseph (8 months). They later had two more sons, Arthur (b. 1913) and George (b. 1915). It appears that George died in infancy. Probably soon after the outbreak of war in August 1914, Arthur volunteered for service with the Lancashire Fusiliers, being assigned number 7482 with the 11th Battalion of the regiment. Interestingly for a battalion of a Lancashire regiment, the 11th was never actually based in the county. It had been formed at Codford in Wiltshire in September of 1914, where it remained until the end of the year. Early in 1915 they moved to Boscombe in Hampshire to continue training. They moved to other bases in Hampshire and then in July were to be found at their last UK base, Malplaquet Barracks in Aldershot. From here, they entrained for Folkstone on 25th September, sailing for Boulogne the same day. Arthur’s Medal Index Card (below) confirms that he sailed on that date. The battalion remained at Ostrohove Rest Camp in Boulogne for 2 nights then on the morning of the 27th, they moved by train to Caestre, about 10 miles south-west of Ypres, then onwards by bus for about 8 miles to Nieppe before marching the short distance to Armentieres. They remained at Armentieres until early October, undergoing final training in trench warfare before finally, on 3rd October, they were moved up some 5 miles to the trenches at Le Touquet. As was the usual practice, they remained here for 9 days before coming back to reserve at Le Bizet on the 12th for 8 days. They suffered four men lost in their first period in the trenches. On 20th October, they once more returned to the trenches at Le Touquet for their next spell in the trenches. Although there were no major actions taking place around this time, the battalion was subject to the usual trench attrition of shelling and mortar fire, snipers and grenades. It seems likely that Arthur fell victim to this type of warfare as he was killed in action on the 26th, the only man of his unit killed that day. Arthur was 37 years old. His body was recovered and he was buried in Gunners Farm Military Cemetery, where there are four rows of Lancashire Fusiliers. The pictures below, kindly supplied by the family, show Arthur’s son William on a pilgrimage to his father’s grave in the 1960’s. Arthur's brother David also in the war. He was serving in Mesopotamia with the Army Service Corps and probably died of disease. He is buried in Basra War Cemetery. Alexander BOOMER 49, Albany Road, Prescot Private 3244, 5th Bn., King’s (Liverpool) Regiment Attesting to the army on 7th December 1914, Alexander Boomer, aged 27, stated that he had previously served with the Canadian Militia, although no dates were shown. His next of kin was listed as his brother John Boomer, of 16, Halsall Street, Prescot. Alexander had been born in Liverpool in 1888 and lived at Lane Ends, Whiston at the time of the 1901 census. By the time of the 1911 census, the family lived at 11, Ward Street, Prescot. Alexander, by then aged 23, was a Colliery Labourer. It seems clear that at sometime between 1911 and the outbreak of war, Alexander migrated to Canada. The only details of his military service which can be determined are that his rank was Bandsman. On 25th November 1915, a letter was sent to the Records Office at Preston from the Administrative centre of the regiment stating that they wished to discharge Boomer. In the letter, it was stated that Pte Boomer was serving as a member of Lord Derby’s recruiting Band, and had enlisted under “special conditions”. Alexander was discharged on 24th December 1915, having seen no overseas service. He was discharged as being unfit for military service, receiving a Gratuity of £5 and 5 shillings. Alexander married Winifred Hesketh in Prescot early in 1919 and then in May he submitted a claim for repatriation to Galt, Ontario, Canada for himself and his wife, Winifred May Boomer. The claim was “On Domestic Grounds” and stated that he had arrived in Liverpool as a Third Class passenger on board the “Hesperion” on 6th October 1914. He stated that his wife had not been abroad before. His handwritten letter to support his claim stated “I am anxious to get back to Canada as the country suits me better in every way”. In support of his claim, a letter was sent by his employers, the Liverpool Electric Cable Company of Linacre Lane in Bootle to confirm that he had been employed by them between 24th January 1918 until 20th February 1919. In June, he received a letter (to the Albany Road address) from the Repatriation Office stating that his claim for repatriation had been approved and that passage would be arranged. No details of the actual date on which the Boomers left the UK has been found. William BRADY Stanley Lodging House, High Street, Prescot Private 21713, 11th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment William Brady attested for military service on 26th May 1915 at Prescot and was initially assigned to the 11th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment. He was 37 years old, married and worked as a Labourer. His wife was Ellen Brady (nee Milligan) of the same address, and they had three sons, William, Hugh and Tom. He was transferred to the 69th (Training Reserve) Battalion on 31st August 1916 and was then discharged on 22nd September as no longer being fit for military service. He had not served overseas. Joseph BRAY 26, Cross Street, Prescot Private 154856, RAMC Joseph was the father of young Joseph Bray, whose tale is told on the main pages of this Roll of Honour. The 1911 census shows the Bray family living at 17, Duke Street, Prescot. Joseph was aged 39 and worked as a House Painter. He and Emily had been married for 15 years and had 5 children; Clara (14), Joseph 13), Sydney (10), Thomas (7) and John (under 1 month). He appears to have joined the Army Reserve when called up for service at Warrington on 22nd June 1918. His papers show that he was aged 46 at the time and worked as a Decorator. He recorded his next of kin as his wife Emily of the same address. They had married on 25th January 1896 in Knowsley and her maiden name was Noakes. Joseph recorded that he had seven children; Clara (b. Oct 1896), Joseph (August 1898), Sidney, Thomas (4th September 1903), John (24th February 1911), Emily Louisa (6th August 1913) and Lena (3rd February 1918). He underwent his medical examination at St Helens on 4th June 1918. He reported that he had been born in Gateacre, that he stood 5 foot 7 inches in height, had Gray hair, a fresh complexion and Blue eyes. He was classed as Grade B1 with the caveat that he should not be placed in any higher category during his military service as he had passed the age of 40. At the Trade Test Centre in Woolwich, he was posted to the Royal Army Medical Corps as a Private in July 1918 and stayed with the unit until he was demobilised in April 1919 .He did not see overseas service but instead was posted to No 19 Company of the 4th Training Battalion ansd was posted to the Lord Derby War Hospital in Warrington. He was treated at the Hospital in September 1918 for a septic sore on the back of his right hand and it was also reported that he was suffering from influenza at the same time. He remained on duty at the hospital until 12th March 1919. He then proceeded to Heaton Park in Stockport, ready for demobilisation. Joseph died in Prescot in 1938, aged 66 George BROWNBILL 21, Victoria Place, Prescot Private 4810, 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment When the 1911 census was undertaken, George, a Coal Miner aged 22, was living at 23 Chester Road, Prescot, the home of his in-laws James and Rachel Sephton. He had married their daughter Mary (20) a year earlier. George Brownbill attested to the reserve forces on 28th April 1908. He was posted to the 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. At the time, he was 19 years and 10 months old, worked as a labourer for British Insulated and Helsby Cables Ltd and lived at 21 Victoria Place, Prescot. He stated that his next of kin was his father, John Brownbill, of the same address. He undertook his annual training as a Territorial from 26th July to 9th August 1908 and again the following year, from 1st to 15th August. He was then discharged having completed his 2 year term of engagement. No details of any Great War service have been located. George died in Prescot in 1964, aged 76 John BURNS 27, Mines Avenue, Prescot 2/Cpl 7174(t) (Later renumbered to 428361) John Burns originally served with the Lancashire Hussars as Private 1455 from 17th October 1906 to 31st March 1908. On the outbreak of war, he attested to the West Lancs Division of the Royal Engineers in St Helens on 12th October 1914. He was 32 years and 10 months old. His wife, Margaret Ann Burns of the same address, was recorded as his next of kin. Listed in the Prescot Reporter “List of all local men who have enlisted” in 1915 as serving with Royal Engineers. John’s service records shows that he landed in France on 5th January 1916. He was promoted to Acting Second Corporal on 5th November 1916, and also that he had leave to the UK between 17th to 27th January 1917. He appears to have been gassed in July 1917, but details are not clear. More leave to the UK is recorded from 21st December 1917 to 4th January 1918. London Gazette 7 October 1918. “Awarded the Military Medal. 428361 2nd/Cpl J Burns (Prescot) Royal Engineers”. No details of the reason for the award have been found. He was transferred to Class “Z” of the Army reserve on demobilisation on 5th February 1919. John’s Medal Index Card shows his entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. John William BURROWS School House, Warrington Road, Prescot Private 310361, Army Service Corps John Burrows was aged 18 years and 7 months when he commenced his Military Service on 27th March 1917, having originally attested on 4th December 1915. He was given the number 310361 and assigned as a Clerk to the Army Service Corps. At the time, he was working as a Clerk for BI & HC Ltd in Prescot and lived at the School House on Warrington Road. He recorded his next of kin as his mother, Jane, at the same address. (At the time of the 1901 census, Jane was shown, aged 20, as widowed. She lived with her father, John Taylor, at 14 Rowson Street, Prescot). His service was based in the UK and he served at Army stations in Bath, York and Scarborough. He was eventually sent to Prees heath in Shropshire in September 1919 for demobilisation. When this finally occurred in October of that year, he recorded his home address as West End Cottages, Derby Street, Prescot, suggesting that his mother had moved address whilst he was in service. His final discharge date was 22nd October 1919 having not seen any overseas service. Isaac CASE Rowson Street, Prescot Private 913, 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment On 11th February 1909, Isaac Case attested to the 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment at Prescot. Aged 18 years 8 months, he was single and worked as a labourer at British Insulated and Helsby Cables, Ltd. His Medical Report on 25th March showed him to be 5ft 6in tall with a 35 inch chest measurement, expandable by 2 inches. His vision and physical development were classed as “Good” and he was passed as fit for Territorial service. The 1911 census showed Isaac living at 44, Warrington Road, Prescot, the home of his sister, Mary Jane Woodward, and her husband Thomas. Isaac was 20 years old and worked as a General Labourer at the Wire Works. Also living at the address was Isaac’s elder brother, William, who was later killed in action and is commemorated here. His record shows that he attended his annual training in 1911 and 1912 and was then discharged on 10th February 1913 having completed his engagement. His next of kin was listed as his father, William Case, of Rowson Street, Prescot. No details of his service in the Great War have been located Isaac died in Prescot in 1964 at the age of 73. George Wm. CHAPMAN 27, Derby Street, Prescot Private M2/223281, Army Service Corps Attesting on 8th December 1915, George Chapman stated that he lived at 27, Derby Street, Prescot, that he was single, and that he was aged 21 years and 6 months. He was employed as a chauffeur. He was 5ft 6in tall, with a 37 inch chest measurement, expandable by 2 ½ inches and weighed 137 pounds. His next of kin was listed as his mother, Elizabeth Chapman, of High Street, Stonehouse, Gloucester. He was subsequently mobilized and posted on 21st September 1916, with his Corps being recorded as the 7th Gloucesters. After training, he embarked for France from Southampton on board the s.s. “King Edward” on 11th May 1917, arriving at Rouen the following day. Most of his service was spent with various Service units, presumably as a driver given his occupation of chauffeur. Pte. Chapmen was hospitalised through accidental burns to his foot from 14th February 1917 to 12th April 1914. A period of furlough is recorded from 21st February 1918 to 8th March 1918, when he returned to France, staying there until 2nd November 1919. He had a period of sickness through influenza from 25th November 1918 to 24th December and then returned to service. His discharge paper, dated 4th November 1919, record that he was given an advance of £2, 28 days furlough and that he would be living in High Street, Stonehouse, Gloucester. Private Chapman stated that he was not suffering from any illness or disability as a result of his military service William Starkey CHEW 14, Moss Street, Prescot Picture kindly provided by John Yates, a relative of William Chew Private 855, 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment William was born in Prescot in 1889 and was aged 19 years and 8 months when he attested to the 5th (Territorial) Bn, South Lancashire Regiment on 25th November 1909. He was single and worked as a Labourer at British Insulated & Helsby Cables Ltd and lived at 14, Moss Street, Prescot. He was the son of the late James Chew, Town Postman At his medical examination, it was reported that he stood 5 foot 4 inches tall, and had a 35 ½ inch chest measurement, with “Good” physical development. He was passed as fit for military service. By the time of the 1911 Census, William (then aged 21) recorded his occupation as a “Capstan Machinist” at the Electric Cable Works. He still lived at 14, Moss Street, with his widowed mother Ann, aged 56, and sister Lily, aged 18. The census reported that William was one of 9 children, 8 of whom were still alive. His service records show that he attended Annual camp each year from 1909 to 1912, finally being discharged after completing 4 years territorial service on 9th December 1912. It appears that William joined the battalion once again on the outbreak of war, this time receiving the service number 2395 in September 1914. He sailed for France with the battalion in February 1915. At some point during his service, he was transferred to 166 Coy., Machine Gun Corps, as Private 23882. This was the company attached to the 166th brigade, to which the 1/5th South Lancs were also attached, being part of 55th West Lancs Division. William was awarded the Military Medal "For Bravery in The Field", with his London Gazette entry dated December 1916. Although the Gazette entry refers to his number with the South Lancs, the medals are inscribed with his MGC service number. Given the date of the Gazette, it would seem likely that his award relates to action around September of 1916, at which time the 1/5th Battalion of the South Lancs were located around Delville Wood on the Somme. No record of the award can be located in the Battalion war diaries. The pictures below, provided by John Yates, show the front and reverse of his Military Medal. No details of William’s discharge are available, but it is known that he survived the war. William died, aged 90, in St Helens in 1979 Harry CLEVERLEY Serjeant 6251, Royal Warwickshire Regiment Harry Cleverley attested into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 8th September 1898. He was 18 years and 2 months old and had been born in Prescot on 11th July 1877. It seems likely that his family had originally been from the Coventry area and had moved to Prescot to seek work in the watch making industry, as both areas had significant numbers of people involved in this trade at the time. On 25th March 1905, he married Emily Corbett in Coventry. A professional soldier, he served across the world before the war, including Malta (1899), Bermuda (1902), Gibraltar (1904), South Africa (1905), East Indies (1910), Malta (1912) and Albania (1914). He went to France on the 19th October 1914 and on 1st November, less than two weeks later, he was captured at Zillebeke and became a prisoner of war. He was only released in December 1918 and was finally discharged from the army on 6th September 1919. Harry died in Solihull in 1954 at the age of 76 William CLEVERLEY Private 7977, Royal Warwickshire Regiment To France, 4th October 1914 Silver War Badge, Discharged Michael CULLEN, MM Eccleston Lane Ends, Prescot Private 29201, Royal Welsh Fusiliers MIchael Cullen pictured in the Prescot Reporter MIchael Cullen's headstone in Prescot Cemetery The 1911 census lists Michael as a 14 year old Coal Miner living in Lane Ends with his parents Thomas and Margaret, who had been married for 3 years. Thomas must have been married previously, as the census lists 4 chidlren between the ages of 14 and 27. Michael died on 23rd January 1926 and is buried in Prescot Churchyard. His headstone notes that he died as a result of injuries incurred whilst on Military service. Birth registered Q1/1897, Prescot., Volume 8b, Page 723 Death registered Q1/1926, Prescot, Volume 8d, Page 794 Private Cullen’s Military Medal award was announced in the London Gazette, No. 30188, Published on 17 July 1917. Thomas DONNELLY 7, Highfield Place, Prescot Private 21651, 11th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment On 25th May 1915, Thomas Donnelly, a 42 year old Labourer of 7, Highfield Place, Prescot, attested into the South Lancashire Regiment at Prescot. He noted his wife as Jane Donnelly, nee Carroll, of the same address. They had married on 21st May 1894 in Prescot and had one child, Martha, born on 26th September 1911. Thomas was posted to his battalion on 29th July 1915 then transferred to the Manchester regiment on 25th August 1915, when he was renumbered to 30615. He was posted to the Garrison Battalion of the regiment and served with them until he was discharged on 10th March 1916 due to not being physically fit for service. This appears to have been due to poor eyesight. He did not see overseas service. Paxton Bronllys GARRETT Address Not Known Sapper 30153, Postal Section, Royal Engineers Paxton Garrett was born in Cardiff sometime around 1889. He attested to the army in London on 9^th November 1914. He worked for the Post Office as a Sorting Clerk and telegraphist and was assigned to the Postal Section of the Royal Engineers. He went to France on 18^th January 1915 and on 25^th October 1915 he left Marseilles with the 25^th Division, bound for Alexandria in Egypt, arriving there on 1^st November. His name was included in the Prescot Reporter list of May 1915 of local men serving in the forces, showing him to be with the RE. Beyond this, I can find no other connection to Prescot. Throughout the summer and autumn of 1916, he suffered from repeated bouts of pyrexia and malaria, then on 24^th October 1916 he was assigned to the Army Post Office in Malta. He remained there until 22^nd June 1917 when he embarked for the UK on Home Service, arriving in London on 1^st July. On 17^th April 1919, Paxton was discharged to Class “Z”, Army Reserve. His discharge documents show a home address of 14, Eskdale Terrace, Newcastle-on-Tyne. These papers also refer to him spending 10 months in Salonika, some of which appear to have been in the 5^th Canadian General Hospital. The malaria which he picked up in Egypt seems to have remained with him throughout his service. Paxton was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War medal and Victory Medal. He died in Croydon in 1963, aged 74. James GILGANNON 4, Highfield Place, Prescot Private 31199, Royal Dublin Fusiliers At the time of the 1911 Census, the Gilgannon family lived at 2, Tyrers Passage, High Street, Prescot. Michael Gilgannon, aged 34, had been married to his wife Catherine for 13 years and they had five children, Margaret (13), James (11), Annie (8), Thomas (5) and Michael (under 6 months). James Gilgannon enlisted on 13th December 1917 at Warrington, stating at the time that he was an 18 year old Labourer of 4, Highfield Place, Prescot. His next of kin was listed as his mother Catherine, of the same address. His attestation was conditional on him being posted to the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. However he was discharged at St Helens on 27th February 1918 when it was found that he suffered from Epilepsy. James did not see overseas service. William GORMAN There were two men by the name of William Gorman living in Prescot at the time of the war; the first, born in 1893, lived at Halsall Street in Prescot and was the son of John and Caroline Gorman. The second, born in 1886, lived at North Court, High Street and was the husband of Elizabeth Gorman. Unfortunately at this time it has not been possible to say which of the men this service relates to. Sgt 241171, 5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment and later Sgt 204959, 2nd Bn, Devonshire Regiment The regimental history of the 5th Battalion records that they were located around Ypres at the time of the armistice in November 1918, then on 5th December they were informed that Sergeant Gorman had been awarded the Military medal for “consistent gallantry while patrolling under fire”. On 22nd February 1919, the London Gazette recorded the award of the Military Medal to “Sergeant Gorman (Prescot)”, then serving with the South Lancashire Regiment. The London Times of Monday 7th April 1919 recorded the award of the Order of Leopold II with Palm, Order of the Chevalier, to Sergeant Gorman, noting him serving with the Devonshire Regiment. His Medal Index Card, which lists his service with both regiments, shows his entitlement to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Edwin GREENALL 36, St Helens Road, Prescot Cpl 285, South Lancs. Regt (later 240025) To France 12/02/1915 Discharged 30/05/1918 John Joseph GUY 9, Beaconsfield Street, Prescot Sapper 7687, West Lancs Div., Royal Engineers The Guy family were living at the above address at the time of the 1911 census. John (35) and Ellen (31) had been married for 13 years. They had 6 children, four of whom were still alive; Edward (12), Harry (9), Alice (4) and Joseph (1). John Guy attested into the Royal Engineers at St Helens on 16th March 1915. He was 34 years old, lived at 9, Beaconsfield Street with his wife Ellen and worked as a Plasterer. As part of his attestation into the Royal Engineers, he had to be certified as a competent plasterer by a recognised civilian tradesman, and this was done by “D Taylor” of Squires Place, Prescot, a Builder and Contractor. His service shows that he served in the UK until 5th May 1917 when he went to France, remaining there until 13th December 1918, at which point he returned to the UK. He was discharged on 17th March 1919, when his conduct was described as “very Good”. He had two charges on his military conduct sheet. On 10th September 1915, he was found guilty of neglect of duty and disobeying an order, for which he was admonished. Then on 24th November 1917, he was found guilty of being “sloppily dressed while on parade”, for which he was again admonished. After discharge, John was awarded a military pension as he was found to suffer from inflammation of the right knee, a condition brought about as a result of his military service. This was classed as causing 20% disability and he received a pension of 5 shilling and sixpence a week for himself and his wife, and a further 4 shillings a week for their four children. John died in Prescot in 1925 at the relatively young age of 49. John HARRIS 11, East Street, Prescot Pte. 3368, 5th Bn., South Lancashire Regiment Also 241177. On 9th November 1914, 20 year old John Harris attested for four years service into the 5th (Reserve) Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment at Prescot. His next of kin was listed as his father, Joseph Harris, of the same address. On 12th December 1915, he was Confined to Barracks for 2 days for being absent from parade He remained with the battalion throughout the war, being posted to France on 16th February 1917 and remaining there until 13th April 1918. This appears to have been as a result of him suffering from shell concussion, an injury caused whilst on active service. He was discharged on 6th November 1918 being no longer physically fit for military service, probably as a result of the injuries he picked up in April. When he was discharged his conduct throughout his period of service was described as “Very Good”. His medal entitlement was to the British War Medal and Victory Medal and he received these on 31st January 1922. James HAYES 41, Columbia Road, Prescot Sapper 8103, Royal Engineers James Hayes. Picture and service information kindly provided by John Hayes, James' son. James Hayes was born in Prescot in 1895, the son of Richard and Jane Hayes. The 1911 census showed that Richard and Jane, living at 41, Columbia Road, Prescot, had 10 children, six of whom were still living. At the time of the census, James was 16 years old, an Apprentice Tin Smith at the Wire Works. Richard Hayes was a Councillor, became Council Leader and had a street named after him - Hayes Avenue. James was aged 20years and 9months when he voluntarily attested to enlist into the Territorial Force at St Helens on 25 May 1915. He gave as next of kin his mother, Jane Hayes. He underwent a medical examination which showed him to be of a little below average height and build! He was found fit for service and was accepted into the Territorial Royal Engineers as a sapper with the West Lancashire Divisional RE and allocated the number 8103. On 2 June 1915 a Mr P C Shaw, engineer at the BI signed a declaration that James was a good apprentice tinsmith, which gained him additional pay increments in 1916 and 1917. Whilst at training camp in Bangor he was found absent without leave for 4½ hours on 21 February 1916 and fined a day’s pay! James embarked for service with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force on 4 April 1916 to join the 420 (1/2^nd West Lancashire) Field Company RE. The company was on the island of Mudros having withdrawn from Gallipoli. On 1 January he was allotted a new number – 428161 – in a scheme that saw all men then serving with the TF renumbered. By June 1917, the company had moved to the Salonika theatre, where it remained. While in Greece he contracted malaria, as did many of his comrades. He had recurring bouts for the rest of his life. He embarked for home on Christmas Day 1918 and by 23 January 1919 he was in Belmont Road Institution, which was in use as a military hospital in Liverpool. James was deemed to be unfit to return to active service and was discharged on 8 March 1919. In June 1919, a medical board that considered his case determined that his malaria represented a “40% disablement” and was sufficient grounds for a pension. He was awarded a payment of 11 shillings per week for 6 months from 9 March 1919. His medal entitlement was the war medal and the victory medal. After the war he returned to work at the BI. He married Amy Disley in 1942 at Whiston Church and had one son, John. He retired from BICC, as foreman sheet metal worker, in 1959 to live in Cornwall. He died aged 81 in 1975. Amy Disley was the daughter of Richard Disley, who died in 1921 and is remembered on the main site here Richard Ruffy HEAP 110, Warrington Road, Prescot Stoker, Royal Navy Richard Ruffy Heap was born in Prescot on 15^th October 1895, the eldest son of Richard and Alice Heap. The 1911 census showed him to be working as a General Labourer at the Wire Works. He joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker on 21^st November 1914 and was stationed at Portsmouth until April 1915 when he was posted to HMS “Columbine”. He also served on HMS “Osiris” ,”Edgar” and “Odin” before being invalided out of the service on 30^th August 1917 suffering from Epilepsy. Arthur HOBBINS 15, Victoria Place, Prescot Pte. 36387, 64th Training Reserve Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment At the time of the 1911 census, the Hobbins family lived at 4, No2 Court, Victoria Place, Prescot. John Hobbins, a 48 year old Watch Fuzee Maker, and his wife Alice (44), had been married for 20 years. Five of their 8 children were still living, four of whom lived with their parents; Elizabeth (17), John (14), Arthur (11) and Ernest (7). Arthur Hobbins joined the service on 9th October 1917 at Warrington, when he reached the age of 18. At the time he worked as a Grocer’s Assistant and expressed a wish to work with Horse Transport with the Army Service Corps (ASC). His next of kin was his father, John Hobbins, of the same address. In November 1917, he was posted as Private 528248 to the 533rd Agricultural Company of the Labour Corps, based at Prees Heath in Shropshire, then on 10th June 1919, he was charged with the offence of “gambling in the hut” whilst based at Prees Heath and was confined to barracks for 10 days. Pte Hobbins was finally sent to France as part of the Labour Corps in May 1919, and remained there until January 1920 when he returned home to be demobilised. This took place on 15th January 1920 at Prees Heath. Arthur died in Prescot in 1976, aged 77 Peter HORNBY Private 240149 South Lancashire Regiment Peter Hornby was born early in 1895 in Prescot, the son of Hannah Hornby. The 1901 census shows him living at 3, Carvers Court. It is not clear when he joined the army, but his service number with the South Lancashire Regiment is in the range issued after the renumbering of late 1916 so it appears that he would have volunteered to joint the regiment rather than be conscripted. He would probably have served with the 4th, or more likely the 5th, Battalion. His Medal Index Card does not show an entry date for him going overseas, so this must have been after January 1916. He was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. More specific details of his servce have not been located. After the war, Peter Hornby returned home and joined the Territorial Force, based in Aspinall Street, Prescot until about 1922. He lived until 1941/1942 but ultimately succumbed to cancer of the lungs, probably caused by the effects of gas in the war. I am indebted to the family of Peter Hornby for providing much of this information.