Prescot Roll of Honour

Service Details

William was the elder brother of Martin Rooney

Private Rooney was a regular soldier with the 2nd 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 26th reads as follows (abbreviations have been expanded where possible).

3.45 am.

Battalion (2/20th) 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 1/4th; 2nd in command posted picquets. When light came C.O. began to site trenches. B.G.C 12th 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 1/4th 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.

1/4th arrived and sat down in 1/4 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 1/4th who suffered heavily. After 1/4th had got under cover, this fire turned to 2/20th. 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 2/20th 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 2/20th was now withdrawn by the Company Commander (Ward). The 2nd 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 2nd 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 2/20th. The unequal contest between line of infantry and massed guns & machine guns lasted 3 hours.

9. 00 am

2/20th 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 2/20th, under Capt. Woodman, with Capt Spooner and Lt Crosse assisting him, held the ridge. As the German advance was checked the 2/20th 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 12th 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 2/20th and 108th were considerably intermingled. Various parties of the 2/20th 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 26th 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 9th Sept 143 of these rejoined which leaves 259 NCO's and men killed, wounded and missing on 26th 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 27th 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'.

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

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