A DEBT OF HONOUR

   THEIR BRIGHT SPIRIT STILL TENANTS

           THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO LOVED THEM.

         THEY PASSED OUT OF THE SIGHT OF MEN

               BY THE PATH OF GLORY AND SELF SACRIFICE.
        

Names on a Cenotaph, Names carved on an ornate piece of stone. One in every Village and one in every Town. Sometimes they're green and old with the neglect of years; sometimes they're bright and resplendent with the names picked out in black or gold. But whose were those names? Did they live where you live now? Or work where you work? Or play where you do? Did they pass through the doorways that you pass through? Or know the names that you know? Who were they?

This text is born of the hope that others might also be interested in the lives of the men of the Sett valley who fell in the two great wars of the twentieth century. Perhaps now, as we embark on a new century the time is right to remember those who gave their lives for freedom in the last.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In putting together this book I have tried to bring together several strands. The men who died form the central theme and information about their lives, and deaths has come from several sources including the newspapers of the time. The narratives have also been derived from diverse sources. In some cases I have researched them over several years. Much information and confirmation of dates is derived from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

INTRODUCTION

The Cenotaphs we see today in Hayfield and New Mills are the culmination of the many Memorials that grew up during the years of the Great War. Nearly every association had its own roll of honour, bearing the names of those who were serving in the forces. These ranged from Parchment scrolls to Stone Tablets. In 1916, an ornate glass fronted case was hung on the gates of New Mills Parish Church. Inside was a Roll of Honour, containing the names of those New Mills men who had fallen. This was updated as news arrived in the town. On the 9^th of June 1917,the roll contained 73 names, by October that number had risen to 100. At St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church two handsome Marble stones, which can still be seen today, carried the names of those members of the congregation who had enlisted. The names of those who had fallen were picked out in black. In October 1917 these numbered five. Hayfield honoured its fallen by the raising of the Church flag to Half-Mast. Many of the Calico Printworks also used this method to honour the members of their workforce who fell in service. One of the most substantial memorials to the Great War was the Primitive Methodist Sunday School at Thornsett. Built in commemoration of the 13 members of the congregation who fell in action. Unusual memorials to the fallen of the Great War were stained glass windows. One which stood in the West side of the Spring Mount Methodist Church on Spring Bank was unfortunately lost in a fire in the early 1990's. Another can still be seen at he congregational chapel on Mellor road.

The New Mills Cenotaph was designed in July 1918, by Mr Emery, Art Master at the Secondary School. He carried out the work at the request of the Parochial Church Council. The design took into account the young Oak tree slightly behind, in the hope perhaps that the memory of the fallen would grow mightier as the tree grew more venerable.

Locally the loss of life during the Second World War was far less than in the Great War. This was in no way due to the numbers of men in the services. For instance on the 9^th of April 1943, the number of New Mills men serving in the forces was 2,648, around a quarter of the population of the Urban District. Of these fifty were lost, though as will be seen there are others who seem to qualify for inclusion on the Roll of Honour whose names do not appear. These men wherever I have found them, I have added at the end of the Roll.

In New Mills, following the Second World War a list of names of the fallen was gathered by the British Legion and a fund was raised to pay for the addition to the Cenotaph, of a low wall set with two stone tablets containing the names of the fallen. So successful was the fund raising campaign that in addition to the changes at the Cenotaph, the committee were able to also add, a Garden of Remembrance, for quiet contemplation of the fallen, and Paddling Pools at High Lea and Ravenslack playing fields for the enjoyment of local children. As a final gesture a Book of Remembrance was placed in the Town Hall. The people of Hayfield also added a stone tablet containing the names of the fallen to their Cenotaph. This is made all the more poignant by the addition of the names of those who were killed in the Air Raid of 1942. A memorial to the Sherwood Foresters, Notts and Derby Regiment can be seen at Crich.

Some of the Principal Battles and Important Events of the Great War.

1914

3^rd August Germany declares war on France.

4^th August Britain declares war on Germany.

August, French and British in retreat- Battle of the Aisne.

23^rd-24^th August, Battle of Mons: 1,600 British casualties.

6^th-11^th September, Battle of the Marne: 1,071British casualties. 250,000 French.

14^th October- 11^th November, first Battle of Ypres, British casualties, 58,155 officers and men.

1915

1^st January- 30^th march, Allied offensive in Artois and Champagne.

18^th Febuary, first German U-boat attack.

March, start of the Dardanelles campaign.

10^th-13^th March, Neuve Chapelle: 13,000 British casualties.

22^nd April -25^th May, second Battle of Ypres. Germans make first use of poison gas. Allied losses 60,000.

9^th May-18^th June , second Battle of Artois,100,000 French casualties.

25^th September-8^th October, Battle of Loos: 50,000 British casualties.

1916

21^st Febuary-18^th December, Battle of Verdun, 543,000 French casualties.

24^th April, Irish Rebellion.

31^st May, Battle of Jutland, Naval.

10^th June, Mecca taken by the British.

1^st July-18^th November, first Battle of the Somme River: 425,000 British casualties, 195,000 French.

1917

11^th March, British capture Baghdad.

4^th April-3^rd May, Battle of Arras, 84,000 British and Empire casualties. British and Canadians capture Vimy Ridge: 10,600 Canadian casualties.

6^th April, United States enters the war.

10^th-11^th April, first Battle of Bullecourt : 3000 Australian casualties.

3^rd -26^th May, second Battle Bullecourt: 7000 Australian casualties.

21^st July-10^th November, third Battle of Ypres, Passchendaele: 400,000 British and Empire casualties.

4-5^th October, Battle of Broodseinde Ridge.

25^th October, Russian Revolution.

20^th November -4^th December, Battle of Cambrai: 43,000 British casualties.

1918

General German offensive.

21^st March-4^th April, second Battle of the Somme: 160,000 Allied casualties.

28^th May, Battle of Cantigny, first American offensive.

30^th May-17^th June, Battles of Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood.

15^th-19^th July, second Battle of the Marne.

General Allied counter offensive

8^th August- 3^rd September, Battle of Amiens: 22,000 British casualties.

26^th September-11^th November, Meuse River - Aragonne Forest.

28^th september-14^th October, British and Belgian final Flanders offensive.

9^th November, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates.

11^th November, Armistice.

NEW MILLS WAR DEAD 1914-18

GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS

You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye

Who watch the soldier lads go by

Slink home and pray you'll never know

The hell where youth and laughter go.

JOHN OGDEN ADSHEAD, PRIVATE, G/7112. 4^TH BATTALION MIDDLESEX REGIMENT. KILLED IN A BAYONET CHARGE ON THE 19^TH JULY 1915. AGED 30. SON OF MRS ISABELLA BARDSLEY, OF 20 EAVES KNOLL ROAD. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL, NEW MILLS. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE ) MEMORIAL - IEPER, WEST- VLAANDEREN. BELGUIM.

GEORGE ARDEN, PRIVATE, 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT) DIED 27^TH NOVEMBER 1917 OF WOUNDS RECEIVED FROM A SHELL BURST THE PREVIOUS DAY. AGED 30. LIVED IN BATE MILL ROW. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. GEORGE WAS VERY FOND OF CYCLING AND WAS OFTEN SEEN AROUND THE DISTRICT. GEORGE VOLUNTEERED ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS AT NEW MILLS TOWN HALL IN OCTOBER 1914, BUT WAS NOT ACCEPTED ON MEDICAL GROUNDS. HE CONTINUED TO APPLY TO ENLIST UNTIL, DUE TO EXTREME SHORTAGE OF MEN AT THE END OF THE SUMMER OF 1917 HE WAS ACCEPTED. HE SURVIVED ONLY ELEVEN WEEKS FROM ENLISTMENT. HALF BROTHER OF CHARLES EDWARD FLEXNEY.

FREDERICK ARNFIELD, PRIVATE, 21099. 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT) KILLED IN ACTION 14^TH FEBUARY 1916. AGED 32. SON OF JOHN ARNFIELD OF HYDE BANK ROAD, HUSBAND OF LILLIAN ROSE ARNFIELD (TWO CHILDREN) OF 11 JUBILEE STREET, NEW MILLS. CONNECTED TO THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL. FRED WAS EMPLOYED AS AN ENGRAVER. JOINED UP ON THE 27^TH DECEMBER 1914. HE HAD BEEN AT THE FRONT FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS WHEN HE FELL. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, BELGIUM.

FRED ASHWORTH, PRIVATE, 43138. 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT) KILLED 31^ST OCTOBER 1916. AGED 23. HUSBAND OF SARAH ALICE ASHWORTH OF 47 ALBION ROAD, NEWTOWN, NEW MILLS. PLAYED THE CORNET FOR THORNSETT BAND. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL-SOMME.

GEORGE ASHWORTH, RIFLEMAN, RIFLE BRIGADE. MISSING PRESUMED DEAD 30^TH NOVEMBER 1917. AGED 27. SON OF MR AND MRS GEORGE ASHWORTH OF HIGH STREET. GEORGE WAS EMPLOYED AT MESSRS. J AND R LEE TINPLATE WORKERS. SCHOLAR AT THE UNITED METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. SERVED IN FRANCE FOR FIFTEEN MONTHS. BROTHER OF FRED. MR AND MRS ASHWORTH LOST BOTH THEIR SONS.

JOHN BAGSHAW, LANCE CORPORAL, 28137. 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED 14^TH JULY 1916. AGED 22. SON OF MR JAMES BAGSHAW OF BANKSIDE, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT BRUNSWICK MILL. A SCHOLAR OF WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOHN WAS MOBILISED WITH THE TERRITORIALS AT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR.

GEORGE W. C. BAILEY, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED JULY 1916. AGED 37. LIVED ON BUXTON ROAD, NEWTOWN WITH HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN. EMPLOYED AT HOWARTHS BLEACHWORKS.

VINCENT BALL, PRIVATE, 58955 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). DIED OF WOUNDS 11^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 33. MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN. EMPLOYED AT GROVE PAPER MILL. VINCENT HAD BEEN IN FRANCE 12 MONTHS.

JOHN BARBER, PRIVATE, 1776. 1^ST/ 6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). MEMBER OF THE REGIMENTAL BAND. KILLED 4^TH AUGUST 1915. AGED 18. SON OF JOHN AND SARAH BARBER, OF 89, BATE MILL ROW, THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. FOLLOWING NEWS OF JOHN'S DEATH THE PRINTWORKS FLAG WAS FLOWN AT HALF MAST. BURIED MAPLE COPSE CEMETERY, ZILLEBEKE-IEPER, WEST- VLAANDEREN.

RICHARD BARTON, PRIVATE, QUEENS REGIMENT. DIED ON THE 19^TH AUGUST 1917 OF WOUNDS RECEIVED ON THE 10^TH. AGED 38. SON OF THE LATE WILLIAM BARTON OF THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. PLAYED WITH THORNSETT PRIZE BAND WHERE HE SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE. JOINED UP IN 1916.

WALTER BATES, PRIVATE, CHESHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED YPRES 1^ST AUGUST 1917 AGE 34. MARRIED MISS EDITH SMITH OF THORNSETT AND LIVED ON WESTFIELD TERRACE. WALTER WAS A TEACHER AT THORNSETT INDEPENDENT SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED AT BATEMILL PRINTWORKS WHERE THE FLAG WAS LOWERED IN RESPECT.

JOHN EDGE BELFIELD, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED 31^ST JULY 1917. AGE 36. SON OF MR AND MRS BELFIELD OF HOLLINHURST HEAD FARM. JOHN WORKED ON THE FARM WHICH THEY HAD OWNED FOR MANY YEARS. MR BELFIELD DIED SUDDENLY AND MRS BELFIELD SUFFERED A PARALYTIC SEIZURE DUE TO THE SHOCK. FRIENDS OF THE FAMILY WERE SEEKING THE RELEASE OF JOHN FROM MILITARY SERVICE TO CARE FOR HIS MOTHER AND THE FARM, WHEN THE NEWS OF HIS DEATH CAME THROUGH. HIS MOTHER DIED A FEW DAYS LATER WITHOUT BEING TOLD OF HIS DEATH. JOHN WAS WELL KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE FARMING COMMUNITY. HE WAS THOUGH BETTER KNOWN AS JOHN EDGE STEPSON OF SAMUEL BELFIELD. AS TWO OTHER CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS DIED AT AROUND THE SAME TIME ITS PROBABLE THAT NO-ONE WAS AVAILABLE TO ENSURE THAT HE WAS COMMEMORATED AS JOHN EDGE; THOUGH IT WAS WITH THIS NAME THAT HE ENLISTED.

GEORGE WOODLAND BELL, PRIVATE, ARMY SERVICE CORP. DIED IN ROUEN HOSPITAL OF DYSENTERY ON THE 1^ST AUGUST 1917. AGED 37. LIVED ON TORR TOP WITH HIS WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN. A WELL ATTENDED SERVICE WAS HELD IN MEMORY OF GEORGE AT TORR TOP MISSION. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL, DISLEY. JOINED UP IN APRIL 1917 AND WENT TO FRANCE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

CHARLES BENNETT, PRIVATE, ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS. KILLED IN ACTION 1^ST SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 20. SON OF GEORGE BENNETT OF SITCH LANE THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AS A JUNIOR SALESMAN IN A MANCHESTER WAREHOUSE. CHARLES HAD BEEN IN FRANCE TWELVE MONTHS. HIS BROTHER EDWARD RECEIVED THE MILITARY MEDAL ON THE FOURTH SEPTEMBER 1918. CHARLES IS INTERRED IN FRANCE, BUT HE IS COMMEMORATED ON HIS PARENTS GRAVE IN THE PARISH CHURCHYARD.

JOSEPH BENNETT, PRIVATE, G/22862. 7^TH BATTALION THE QUEENS (ROYAL WEST SURREY REGIMENT) KILLED 10^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 26. SON OF JAMES BENNETT, OF 30 JODRELL STREET; NEW MILLS. HUSBAND OF MARY ELLEN BENNETT OF 7 NEW STREET, UPPER END, PEAK DALE. JOSEPH HAD ALL HIS LIFE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEWTOWN WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHAPEL. FOUGHT IN THE DARDENNELLES BEFORE ARRIVING IN FRANCE. A SERVICE WAS HELD AT BROOKBOTTOM PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL. BELGIUM.

FRANK BENNETT, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). SON OF JOHN BENNETT OF CHAPEL STREET. MARRIED WITH ONE CHILD FRANK LIVED ON MEAL STREET. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. CONNECTED TO THE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL.

WILLIAM BENNETT, SAPPER, WR/289913. ROYAL ENGINEERS. DIED OF ENTERIC FEVER 30^TH AUGUST 1918. AGED 35. RAILWAY TROOPS, RAILWAY OPERATING DIVISION. SON OF GEORGE BENNETT OF 39 EAVES KNOLL ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED BY MIDLAND RAILWAYS AT GOWHOLE SIDINGS. CONNECTED WITH THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL. WILLIAM WENT TO EGYPT IN SEPTEMBER 1917. HE WAS THE FAMILIES ONLY SURVIVING SON, THE OTHER HAVING DIED JUST BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF WAR. BURIED ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY. EGYPT.

HARRY BERRISFORD, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED 9^TH AUGUST 1915, NEAR HOOGE. AGED 21. SON OF HENRY BERRISFORD OF PIECE FARM, NEW MILLS EMPLOYED BY HIS FATHER ON THE FARM. THE FAMILY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM PRIVATE TOM CONLEY CONVEYING THE NEWS THAT HARRY HAD FALLEN IN ACTION . IT READ :- "DEAR MR AND MRS BERRESFORD,- JUST A FEW LINES TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DEATH OF YOUR SON, WHO FELL ON THE LAST OF THE DAY, ON AUGUST 9^TH . THERE WAS A ROUGH DEAL FOR A POSITION OUT HERE, AND HUNDREDS OF OUR MEN FELL IN TAKING THIS POSITION. I AND A LOT MORE MEN WENT OUT AT NIGHT TO BURY THE DEAD. I HAPPENED TO HAVE THE LUCK TO COME ACROSS HIM, ALONG WITH OTHERS WHO WE BURIED. HE HAD IN HIS POCKETS SOME PHOTOGRAPHS RELATING TO YOU, AND ANOTHER OF MISS FIELDING, OF LOW LEIGHTON. WE HAD TO ABANDON THE JOB OF BURYING THEM OWING TO IT GETTING TOO HOT, THE GERMANS FIRING BOMBS ON TO US. AT THE TIME OF WRITING WE ARE HAVING IT HOT; SO NO MORE AT PRESENT FROM ONE WHO IS SUFFERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE STRAIN WE HAVE ALL OF US HAD FROM THE START. WE GET IT ROUGH , AND NOT MUCH REST. WE ARE ALL DEAD BEAT TO THE WORLD. I THINK, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE LADS, THAT IT IS TIME SOMEONE TOOK IT UP FOR US."

NORMAN BOFFEY, PRIVATE, 244296. 1^ST/5^TH BATTALION CHESHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED WHILST ASSISTING A WOUNDED COMRADE 4^TH MAY 1917. AGED 21. SON OF ARTHUR AND SARAH ANN BOFFEY, OF 56, MARKET STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT SULLEY SILK MILL, CONGLETON. BURIED DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN- PAS DE CALAIS.

WILLIAM BOTTOMLEY, PRIVATE, MIDDLESEX REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS 7^TH NOVEMBER 1916. AGE 21. SON OF JOSEPH BOTTOMLEY OF BROOK BOTTOM. WILLIAM ATTENDED BROOK BOTTOM PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. INTERRED AT LAHANA CEMETERY, SALONIKA. COMMEMORATED ON HIS PARENTS GRAVE IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD.

"FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH"

 ARTHUR VINCENT BOWDEN, RIFLEMAN, B/200047. 2^ND BATTALION. RIFLE BRIGADE. No 8 COMPANY. KILLED 6^TH MARCH 1918. AGED 21. SON OF ROBERT AND ELIZA BOWDEN, OF NEW MILLS. CONNECTED WITH THE UNITED METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HE OFTEN ACTED AS PIANIST. JOINED UP IN APRIL 1916. ARTHUR WAS KILLED ALONG WITH SEVEN OF HIS COMRADES BY A SHELL WHICH BURST BESIDE THEM. BURIED WHITE HOUSE CEMETERY, ST. JEAN-LES-YPRES-IEPER, WEST- VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

HERBERT BOWDEN, PRIVATE, 203368. 1^ST/5^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS &DERBY REGT). KILLED 3^RD OF JUNE 1917. AGED 21. SON OF MARY JANE BOYLE(FORMERLY BOWDEN) AND THE LATE SAMUEL BOWDEN OF WIRKSMOOR HOUSE, HURST LEA ROAD, NEWTOWN. EMPLOYED AT ROWBOTTOMS MILL. PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR THE BATTALION TEAM. BURIED LOOS BRITISH CEMETERY- PAS DE CALAIS.

JAMES ALFRED BOWERS, RIFLEMAN, B/200046. 10^TH BATTALION RIFLE BRIGADE. KILLED 14^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 22. SON OF MILTON AND SARAH ANN BOWERS, OF MANOR HOUSE, HYDE BANK ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED WOODSIDE MILLS. ASSOCIATED WITH THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. JAMES WAS MISSING UNTIL PRESUMED DEAD IN JULY 1918. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE)) MEMORIAL, BELGIUM.

JAMES BOWETT, RIFLEMAN, 212622. 21^ST BATTALION RIFLE BRIGADE. DIED OF HEAT STROKE 24^TH MAY 1919. AGED 42. SON OF JOHN AND SARAH BOWETT. BORN AT NEW MILLS DERBYSHIRE. FOUGHT IN THE BOER WAR WITH THE CHESHIRES AND RE-ENLISTED AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR. BURIED MADRAS (ST. MARY'S) CEMETERY, CHENNAI. INDIA.

SAMUEL BOWETT, PRIVATE, MIDDLESEX REGIMENT. KILLED 13^TH JULY 1916. AGED 30. SON OF JOHN AND SARAH BOWETT. LIVED ON HIBBERT STREET WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILD. PRIOR TO THE WAR HE WASEMPLOYED AT BRUNSWICK MILL. BROTHER OF JAMES BOWETT WHO WROTE TO SAM'S WIFE FROM THE FRONT TO TELL HER OF HIS DEATH. THE BROTHERS JOINED UP TOGETHER AND WERE IN THE SAME REGIMENT.

ERNEST BOYLE, CORPORAL, 39173. 4^TH BATTALION SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS 11^TH APRIL 1918. AGED 30. SON OF D. J. BOYLE, OF NEW MILLS; HUSBAND OF MARY BOYLE OF 4, LEA STREET, AND A FATHER OF TWO. A JUNIOR PARTNER IN THE BUILDING FIRM S. D. BOYLE, AND A WELL KNOWN MUSICIAN ERNEST HAD, FOR SEVENTEEN YEARS PLAYED IN THE TOWNS ANNUAL PERFORMANCE OF THE MESSIAH AT THE TOWN HALL. CONNECTED WITH THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR EIGHT MONTHS WHEN HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER ON THE 10 ^TH APRIL DIED THE FOLLOWING DAY. COMMEMORATED TOURCOING (PONT-NEUVILLE) COMMUNAL CEMETERY-NORD.

FRED BRADLEY, PRIVATE, 17395. 8^TH BATTALION. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 15^TH JULY 1916. AGED 19. SON OF MR AND MRS WALTER BRADLEY OF BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED IN THE GOODS DEPARTMENT AT HAYFIELD STATION. KILLED BY A SHELL BURST AS HIS UNIT WERE GOING OVER THE TOP.

JOHN BRANSON, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). DIED OF WOUNDS 27^TH OCTOBER 1916. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. JOINED UP IN 1914. HAD BEEN AT THE FRONT ONLY EIGHT WEEKS.

ERNEST BROCKLEHURST, PRIVATE, 37047. 2^ND BATTALION LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS. KILLED 12^TH NOVEMBER 1919. AGED 32. SON OF JOSEPH AND MARY BROCKLEHURST; HUSBAND OF ESTHER BROCKLEHURST OF 18 JODRELL STREET, NEW MILLS. HAD BEEN WOUNDED BY SHELL FIRE 1916. BURIED NEW MILLS ( ST. GEORGE'S ROAD) METHODIST CHURCHYARD.

CHARLES BRYAN, PRIVATE, MANCHESTER REGIMENT DIED JULY 1916, OF WOUNDS RECEIVED ON THE SOMME. SON OF MR AND MRS RICHARDSON CARETAKER OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL. BEFORE JOINING UP CHARLES WAS EMPLOYED AS A WAREHOUSEMAN. PRIVATE BRYAN WAS CHOSEN AS AN OFFICERS RUNNER. HE WAS SHOT AND WOUNDED ON THE 1^ST JULY WHILST CARRYING A MESSAGE. REPATRIATED TO THE U.K., BUT DIED OF HIS WOUNDS. BURIED NETLEY MILITARY CEMETERY.

ROBERT BUCHANAN, PRIVATE, RIFLE BRIGADE. KILLED IN PALESTINE ON THE 10^TH APRIL 1918. ROBERT WAS MARRIED WITH ONE CHILD AND LIVED IN BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS IN THE ENGRAVING DEPARTMENT AS A SKETCH MASTER. THE FLAG AT THE PRINTWORKS WAS LOWERED AS A MARK OF RESPECT. CONNECTED WITH ST. LUKES CHURCH. ROBERT WAS FOND OF SINGING AND A MEMBER OF HIGH PEAK ORPHEUS GLEE PARTY. JOINED UP IN EARLY 1916 ORIGINALLY ATTACHED TO THE NON COMBATANT CORP, BUT LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE RIFLE BRIGADE AND ARRIVED IN EGYPT AT CHRISTMAS WHERE HE HAD REMAINED UNTIL GOING TO PALESTINE SHORTLY BEFORE HIS DEATH.

THOMAS CAREY, CORPORAL, 37155. 1^ST BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. DROWNED AT SEA FOLLOWING THE TORPEDOING OF H.T. 'CAMERONIA' ON THE 15^TH APRIL 1917. AGED 34. HUSBAND OF ALICE TAYLOR (FORMERLY CAREY) OF 75 SHARSON GREEN, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT BOTANY BLEACH WORKS. ATTENDED THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH. COMMEMORATED CHATBY MEMORIAL, EGYPT.

NORMAN CHADWICK, RIFLEMAN,42285. 3^RD BATTALION. 3^RD NEW ZEALAND. RIFLE BRIGADE. KILLED IN ACTION 12^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 30, SON OF MR AND MRS SQUIRE CHADWICK, OF HYDE BANK ROAD. NEW MILLS. EMIGRATED TO NEW ZEALAND AROUND 1910. WHERE HE BECAME A MARINE ENGINEER ENLISTED IN NEW ZEALAND. NORMAN HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE LINE FOR TWELVE DAYS WHEN HE WAS KILLED. CHAPLAIN OTALIS WROTE "I WAS ONE OF A CARRYING UP PARTY ON THE 12^TH OCTOBER, OF WHICH RIFLEMAN CHADWICK WAS A MEMBER. AT ABOUT 4 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING I WENT ACROSS TO THE DUG OUT OCCUPIED BY CHADWICK AND ANOTHER MAN. THE DUG OUT WAS BLOWN IN. THE OTHER OCCUPANT HAD HIS LEG BROKEN. HE SAID THAT CHADWICK WAS DEAD IN THE RUINS." COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL- ZONNEBEKE, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM. THE TYNE COT MEMORIAL IS THE LARGEST OF THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVE CEMETERIES. CONTAINING NEARLY 12,000 BURIALS WITH AN ADDITIONAL 35,000 NAMES OF THOSE WITH NO KNOWN GRAVE COMMEMORATED ON THE MEMORIAL.

FRED STAFFORD CHATTERTON, PRIVATE, LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS. KILLED IN ACTION 10^TH JUNE 1916. AGED 27. MARRIED SON OF JONATHON CHATTERTON OF THORNSETT. EMPLOYED GARRISON BLEACHWORKS. JOINED UP IN FEBUARY 1915. SERVED IN EGYPT, GALLIPOLI, GIBRALTAR AND FRANCE. FRED WAS KILLED DURING A BOMBARDMENT. A LARGE CONGREGATION ATTENDED A SERVICE AT THORNSETT INDEPENDENT CHAPEL FOLLOWING NEWS OF FRED'S DEATH.

JOSEPH CHATTERTON, PRIVATE, 23218.8^TH BATTALION NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. WOUNDED IN THE BACK ON JULY 4^TH BY A PIECE OF GERMAN SHELL. DIED IN BOULOGNE HOSPITAL ON THE 11^TH JULY 1917. AGED 20. ELDEST SON OF HORATIO AND MARY JANE CHATTERTON, OF 100, CHURCH ROAD; NEW MILLS. PLAYED CRICKET FOR NEW MILLS. ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN SEPTEMBER 1916. BURIED BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY. FRANCE.

THOMAS CHATTERTON, PRIVATE. SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY) REGIMENT. KILLED MARCH 1918. AGED 22. SON OF MR MORATIO CHATTERTON OF THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. ATTENDED THORNSETT INDEPENDENT CHAPEL. THOMAS WAS WOUNDED 5 TIMES , BUT ON EACH OCCASION RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO DUTY.

RALPH CLAYTON, LANCE CORPORAL, G/75696. 23^RD BATTALION ROYAL FUSILIERS. KILLED 7^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 18 SON OF RALPH AND ELIZABETH CLAYTON, OF 'THE CROFT' LONGLANDS ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED IN HIS FATHERS BUSINESS, ALSOP AND CLAYTON DECORATORS. MEMBER OF NEW MILLS PARISH CHURCH CHOIR. KILLED DURING A GERMAN COUNTER ATTACK. RALPH'S OFFICER WROTE "THANKS TO THE SPLENDID STAND MADE BY ALL RANKS IN MY PLATOON AND THEIR STUBBORN RESISTANCE TO THE GERMAN ONSLAUGHT, THE LINES REMAINED INTACT. WHEN LAST I SAW LANCE CORPORAL CLAYTON HE WAS WORKING HIS LEWIS GUN IN THE COOLEST MANNER AND DIED LIKE A BRITAIN. HIS BODY WAS BURIED IN A FIELD UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE PADRE". COMMEMORATED VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL- PAS DE CALAIS.

GEORGE CHARLES CLAPHAM, PRIVATE, NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. KILLED 10^TH APRIL 1917. AGED 18. SON OF GEORGE CLAPHAM OF NEWTOWN. EMPLOYED BY MR J SAYER CABINET MAKER OF MARKET STREET, WHERE HE HAD SERVED FOUR YEARS OF AN APPRENTICESHIP. SCHOLAR OF NEWTOWN WESLEYAN CHAPEL VERY FOND OF CRICKET GEORGE JOINED UP ON HIS 18^TH BIRTHDAY AND HAD ONLY BEEN IN FRANCE A WEEK WHEN HE WAS REPORTED MISSING. HIS FAMILY HOPED THAT HE MIGHT BE A PRISONER. BUT WHEN HE FAILED TO RETURN HOME WITH OTHER FORMER PRISONERS HIS FAMILY WROTE TO HIS COMRADES IN THE HOPE THAT ONE OF THEM MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEND THEM NEWS. PRIVATE HORACE LEVIN WROTE "I HEAR FROM A FRIEND OF MINE THAT YOU ARE SEEKING NEWS OF YOUR SON. I AM VERY SORRY TO INFORM YOU THAT HE WAS KILLED WHILST FIRING THE LEWIS GUN WITH ME ON THE 10^TH APRIL LAST YEAR WHEN WE LOST HEAVILY. MOST OF OUR LOT WERE KILLED AND OUR GUN PUT OUT OF ACTION. I WAS TAKEN PRISONER A FEW DAYS LATER. I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO TAKE ANY ADDRESS FROM HIS POCKETS AND SO COULD NOT WRITE TO YOU BEFORE.

ALEC CLARKE, CORPORAL, 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). DIED 11^TH JUNE 1918. LIVED AT THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS WHERE HE WAS AN APPRENTICE MACHINE PRINTER. ATTENDED THORNSETT INDEPENDENT SUNDAY SCHOOL. WOUNDED ON THE SOMME. ALEC DIED OF PNEUMONIA WHILST IN HOSPITAL IN BRITAIN. THOUGH HE WAS A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF BIRCH VALE ALEC ORIGINALLY CAME FROM MACCLESFIELD WHERE HE WAS BURIED. ALEC WON HIS STRIPES AND A MILITARY MEDAL ON THE BATTLEFIELD. THE MILITARY MEDAL WAS INSTITUTED IN MARCH 1916. IT WAS AWARDED "FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD".

*** *** *** *** *** **

LIFE AT THE FRONT.

From the High Peak Reporter, January 1916. In a letter to a friend, Corporal Alf Shaw, of the Manchester's gave a vivid description of conditions at the front :- "At the present time we are resting after a pretty rough time. We have been in the trenches three days, in the firing line, and three days in reserve. I can tell you it was an experience. The firing did not bother us much, but the conditions were awful, for it rained practically all the time, and before we had been in the trenches many hours the water and mud were up to our knees. Of course it was deeper in some places than in others, and it fell to my lot to find the deeper places, for I went up to my middle several times, and what was perhaps the worst experience, I sat on a ledge all through one night with my feet in a stream of running water, quite one foot deep. We were glad to be relieved, though it was some days after this before we got our clothes dry. Since arriving in France, we have, I believe, marched well over 100 miles, and this is no joke with a pack on. I thought I knew what a full pack was, but find to my sorrow I was sadly mistaken. I don't know the exact weight of my pack. I wish I did, but by the time I have marched about four miles it feels like half a ton. I hear that one of the fellows, on his return from the trenches, weighed his great-coat and the weight was 57 lbs. The next time we are removing at home father will have no need to engage a furniture remover, but simply give me a lift on and there you are. I expect by the time you receive this letter, Christmas, 1915, will be a thing of the past. I hope you have had a happy time and that you will have a bright new year. We here are looking forward to Christmas. I expect having a good time. There are ten of us in my billet and if all the Christmas parcels come that are expected, my word, we will have a beano. Everyone of us is expecting at least one, and I daresay we will have a day off to eat them. I am in the best of health, and feel fit enough for anything. But, I won't be sorry when the war is over and I can return to dear old England.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

ARTHUR HENRY CLARKE, PRIVATE, NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. KILLED IN ITALY 15^TH JUNE 1918. AGED 27. SON OF THE LATE HENRY CLARKE. ARTHUR WAS EMPLOYED AT WOODS MILL, BUT WHEN HE ENLISTED HE WAS WORKING AT WOOLWICH ARSENAL. ASSOCIATED WITH ST JAMES CHURCH. WORD OF ARTHUR'S DEATH CAME VIA DRUMMER BEAUMONT. HE AND ARTHUR HAD MADE AN AGREEMENT THAT A MESSAGE BE SENT HOME IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO THE OTHER. SO IT WAS A MESSAGE CAME TO MRS JOS DYSON, ARTHUR'S SISTER, WHO HAD ALSO LOST HER HUSBAND.

RICHARD COLLINS, PRIVATE, CHESHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 21^ST AUGUST 1918. AGE 18. SON OF RICHARD COLLINS OF THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT GARRISON BLEACHWORKS. PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. RICHARD JOINED UP IN JANUARY 1918 AND ARRIVED IN FRANCE AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY. HIS COMMANDER WROTE " ACQUITTED HIMSELF AS A TRUE BRITISH SOLDIER".

FRANK CONWAY, PRIVATE , SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT).KILLED OCTOBER 1918. AGED 23. SON OF MRS CONWAY OF 19 EAVES KNOLL ROAD. BROTHER OF HARRY. A SCHOLAR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. FRANK WAS EMPLOYED AT GROVE PAPER MILL. WOUNDED IN FRANCE IN 1917, BUT RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT. FRANK WAS A MEMBER OF THE 46^TH DIVISION WHICH MADE THE FAMOUS ATTACK ON THE ST QUENTIN CANAL. WHERE FRANK WAS KILLED.

HARRY CONWAY, RIFLEMAN, R/4380. 11^TH BATTALION KINGS ROYAL RIFLE CORPS. KILLED 26^TH OCTOBER 1915. SON OF MRS M. CONWAY OF 19 EAVES KNOLL ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS A WEAVER AT TORR VALE MILL. BURIED MERVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY, NORD, FRANCE. THERE ARE OVER 1000, 1914-18 WAR CASUALTIES COMMEMORATED ON THIS SITE, WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF 1,901 SQUARE METERS.

CHARLES COOPER, PRIVATE, 2595. 1^ST/ 6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). DIED OF WOUNDS 9^TH JUNE 1915. AGED 29. SON OF CHARLES AND MARTHA COOPER, OF TORR TOP; HUSBAND OF ELIZABETH COOPER OF 14, NEW STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS AN ENGRAVER AT MESSRS WALTER CAMPBELL'S AND CO. WORKS ON ST. GEORGE'S ROAD. MEMBER OF THE NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND. BURIED NEW MILLS (ST. GEORGE) CHURCHYARD WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS.

ALBERT. W. CRITCHLOW, PRIVATE, 203827. 2^ND/ 4^TH BATTALION LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT, MISSING IN ACTION. PRESUMED KILLED 26^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 38. LIVED AT CROWTHER COTTAGE. COMMEMORATED ON THE TYNE COT MEMORIAL, ZONNEBEKE, WEST- VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

EDMUND VINCENT CROFT, ACTING BOMBARDIER, 46774. 'A' BATTERY, 14^TH BRIGADE. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED FROM A SHELL BURST 16^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 20. SON OF ALFRED AND HANNAH CROFT OF 46 CHURCH ROAD, NEW MILLS. EDMUND WAS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH CHURCH CHOIR AND AN ACCOMPLISHED RUNNER WITH THE DISLEY HARRIERS. EDMUND WAS REJECTED THREE TIMES BUT CONTINUED TO APPLY UNTIL HE WAS ACCEPTED IN SEPTEMBER 1915. BURIED NOEUX-LES-MINES COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION-PAS DE CALAIS.

EDWARD CROSSLAND, PRIVATE, 24194. 2^ND BATTALION LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS. KILLED 19^TH FEBUARY 1916. AGED 37. SON OF GEORGE AND MARY CROSSLAND OF HAGUE BAR ROAD , STRINES; HUSBAND OF SARAH CROSSLAND, OF 33, HIGH STREET, NEW MILLS. EDWARD WAS ATTACHED TO ST. JAMES CHURCH. EMPLOYED AS A STOKER AT THE GAS WORKS. WENT TO FRANCE JULY 1915. REPORTED MISSING, PRESUMED KILLED BY A SHELL BURST. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL-SOMME.

BERTRAM CUNLIFFE, SERGEANT, 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT).KILLED 24^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 23.FAMILY ORIGINATED IN ROWTENSTALL. EMPLOYED AT MESSRS HUNTERS NEWTOWN SHOP. ENLISTED SEPTEMBER 1914. MARRIED JANUARY 1917. KILLED BY A SHELL WHILST SERVING IN THE TRENCHES.

HAROLD DAWSON, PRIVATE, 21930. 1^ST BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT ). KILLED IN ACTION 5^TH OCTOBER 1916. SON OF JOHN AND MATILDA DAWSON, OF 36, WIRKSMOOR ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT PINGOT COLLIERY. HAROLD WAS CONNECTED WITH THE TORR TOP MISSION WHERE A MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS HELD FOLLOWING THE NEWS OF HIS DEATH. ENLISTED IN EARLY 1915. NEWS OF HAROLD'S DEATH CAME VIA HIS FRIEND AT THE FRONT PRIVATE JACK BRANSON. COMMEMORATED VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY- PAS DE CALAIS.

TOM DAWSON, SIGNALLER, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT) KILLED 27^TH OCTOBER 1918. AGED 21. SON OF JOHN AND MATILDA DAWSON, OF WIRKSMOOR ROAD. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. TOM WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TORR TOP MISSION. TOM HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR TWO YEARS. DIED IN HOSPITAL IN FRANCE OF WOUNDS RECEIVED AT THE FRONT.

JOHN DEARNALEY, PRIVATE, 32703.16^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED 6^TH OCTOBER 1916. AGED 21. SON OF MR AND MRS J. A. DEARNALEY, OF GLENO VILLAS, BUXTON ROAD , NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. COMMEMORATED THIEVAL MEMORIAL- SOMME. THE 16^TH BATTALION WERE KNOWN AS THE CHATSWORTH RIFLES.

WALTER DRAPER, PRIVATE, ROYAL INNISKILLING, PREVIOUSLY WITH THE 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED DECEMBER 1916 SON OF MR PEDLEY OF BROOKSIDE. EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. WALTER HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN WOUNDED IN THE HEAD, BUT HAD RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT.

JOSEPH DYSON, PRIVATE, 41040. 1^ST LABOUR COMPANY. LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT; TRANSFERRED TO (23544) 40^TH COMPANY. LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT LABOUR CORPS. KILLED 9^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 36. SON OF ROBERT AND ALICE DYSON; HUSBAND OF ANNIE DYSON OF 33, BRIDGE STREET, NEW MILLS. JOSEPH WAS A DEVOTE ROMAN CATHOLIC WHO WORSHIPPED AT ST MARY'S WHERE HE WAS ACTIVE IN THE AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY. A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR AND MANAGER OF THE DAY SCHOOL. BURIED VLAMERTINGHE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY.

HAROLD ECHELLS, PRIVATE, 8^TH SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 3^RD JULY 1916. AGED 25. RESIDED WITH AN AUNT, MRS PILKINGTON AT LILY BANK, NEWTOWN. HAD MARRIED 4 MONTHS BEFORE HIS DEATH. EMPLOYED WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. HAROLD WAS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS SENSE OF HUMOUR. JOINED UP IN OCTOBER 1914.

RICHARD FALLOWFIELD, STAFF SERGEANT,55285. 36^TH FIELD AMBULANCE, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORP. KILLED 28^TH MAY 1918. AGED 31. LIVED AT HAGUE BAR. EMPLOYED AT TORR VALE MILL. ATTENDED BROOKBOTTOM PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL. AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL, "TOOK CHARGE OF THE MEN IN HIS COMPANY WHEN THE OFFICER WAS WOUNDED AND UNDER HEAVY SHELL FIRE ATTENDED TO THE OFFICER BEFORE DIRECTING HIS MEN TO SAFETY". RICHARD WAS MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN.

GEORGE FIELDING, PRIVATE, 27427. ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. DIED SUNDAY, 17^TH FEBUARY 1918. COMMEMORATED KIRKEE 1914-1918 MEMORIAL, INDIA. THE OFFICERS AND MEN COMMEMORATED ON THE KIRKEE WAR MEMORIAL NUMBER 1,810.

HARRY FIELDING, PRIVATE, PLY/17558. ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED IN ACTION ON THE 31^ST MAY 1916. AGED 21. SON OF JOHN AND ADA FIELDING OF 38 CHURCH ROAD. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ASSOCIATED WITH NEW MILLS PARISH CHURCH. HARRY WAS SERVING ABOARD THE 18,750 TON BATTLE CRUISER H.M.S. 'INDEFATIGABLE', WHEN SHE WAS BLOWN UP BY GERMAN GUNFIRE AT THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND.

COLIN FIDLER, RIFLEMAN, 10^TH BATTALION ROYAL IRISH RIFLES. KILLED 26^TH JUNE 1917. AGED 23. SON OF WILLIAM FIDLER OF BATE MILL ROW. EMPLOYED AS A VANMAN FOR MESSRS WILSON. THE FAMILY FORMERLY LIVED AT LOWER CLIFFE FARM, STRINES. WHERE COLIN WORKED ON THE FARM. ATTENDED ST. LUKES SUNDAY SCHOOL. COLIN JOINED UP IN FEBUARY 1915. HE WAS ORIGINALLY WITH THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS, BUT TRANSFERRED WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE FRONT IN 1916. NEWS OF COLIN'S DEATH CAME VIA HIS FRIEND TOM HILL WHO WAS HIMSELF KILLED SOON AFTER.

ALBERT FLECHER, PRIVATE, 70608. 2^ND BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). 1^ST JULY 1917. AGED 22. SON OF FRED AND EMMA FLETCHER, OF 2 CHURCH ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT GROVE PAPER MILL. ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN SEPTEMBER 1916. COMMEMORATED MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY, GRENAY, FRANCE.

CHARLES EDWARD FLEXNEY, SERGEANT, SHERWOOD FORESTERS. AGED 40. PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER WITH 24 YEARS SERVICE IN THE BRITISH ARMY. HALF BROTHER OF GEORGE ARDEN, CHARLES WAS BETTER KNOWN IN NEW MILLS AS CHARLIE ARDEN.

WALTER FLINT, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED AT FLANDERS, OCTOBER 1915. AGED 26. SON OF MRS E. J. FLINT. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS.

CHARLES FORMBY ,PRIVATE, SOUTH WALES BORDERERS. KILLED 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 21. STEPSON OF COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR McQUAID. LIVED AT OLDHAM SQUARE, NEW MILLS. WORKED IN THE BLOWING ROOM OF GOYT MILLS, MARPLE. ENLISTED FEBUARY 1914. PRIVATE FORMBY WAS ONCE SAVED FROM A GERMAN BULLET BY A BUTTON ON HIS TRENCH COAT. HE DIED ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SOMME OFFENSIVE. CHARLES HAD SERVED IN THE DARDANELLES AND IN EGYPT, WHERE HE FELL ILL, FOLLOWING HIS RECOVERY HE WAS POSTED TO FRANCE.

JOHN MORRIS FROGGATT, PRIVATE, 24771. NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 25^TH FEBUARY 1917. AGED 22. SON OF MR THOMAS FROGGATT. JOHN WAS EMPLOYED AS A CARTER AT MESSRS HOWARTHS BLEACH WORKS. HE JOINED UP ON THE 22^ND MAY 1915. EMBARKED OCTOBER 11^TH TO MESOPOTAMIA. KILLED IN FIGHTING AROUND KUT. LEFT A WIFE AND YOUNG DAUGHTER.

HARRY FROST, PRIVATE, 17883. 15^TH BATTALION ROYAL SCOTS. DIED OF WOUNDS 5^TH NOVEMBER 1917. AGED 33. HUSBAND OF NELLIE FROST OF 56 ARDEN STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS A PAINTER FOR MESSRS ALSOP AND CLAYTON. MEMBER OF THE LIBERAL CLUB. HARRY HAD BEEN BADLY WOUNDED IN THE ARM IN 1916. ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN-SEINE-MARITIME.

HORACE FROST, CORPORAL 800242. 1^ST BATTALION CANADIAN MACHINE GUN CORPS. KILLED ON THE 10^TH AUGUST 1918. AGED 22. NATIVE OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND. SON OF THE LATE EDWARD FROST, FOLLOWING EDWARDS DEATH THE FAMILY EMIGRATED TO OCEAN AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, U.S.A. WHERE HORACE WORKED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CUNARD STEAMSHIP COMPANY. LIKE MANY OTHERS HORACE FELT THAT IT WAS HIS PATRIOTIC DUTY TO JOIN THE FIGHT. HE THEREFORE TRAVELLED TO CANADA WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO ENLIST BEFORE AMERICA JOINED THE WAR.

ARCHIE GALBRAITH, CORPORAL, 1^ST/ 6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS. KILLED 4^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGE 28. SON OF THOMAS AND EMILY GALBRAITH; HUSBAND OF E. GALBRAITH, OF 21, MARKET STREET, WHALEY BRIDGE.

"COULD WE HAVE RAISED HIS DYING HEAD,

OR HEARD HIS LAST FAREWELL.

THE GRIEF WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO HARD,

FOR THOSE WHO LOVED HIM WELL".

COMMEMORATED PERNES BRITISH CEMETERY, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE. THERE ARE OVER 1000, 1914-18 AND 19, 1939-45 CASUALTIES COMMEMORATED ON THIS SITE.

ELIJA GARLICK, PRIVATE. YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 23^RD OF NOVEMBER 1917. AGED 27. SON OF MR AND MRS WALTER GARLICK OF BIRCH VALE WHO HAD TWO OTHER SONS IN THE SAME REGIMENT. EMPLOYED AT HAYFIELD PRINTWORKS. ELIJA WAS A SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOINED UP IN 1915 AND HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR EIGHTEEN MONTHS WHEN HE FELL. COMMEMORATED CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERAL, NORD, FRANCE.

ALBERT GARTSIDE, LANCE CORPORAL, 21607. 6^TH BATTALION LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS. MISSING, PRESUMED KILLED 18^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. SON OF MR AND MRS JAMES GARTSIDE OF THORNSETT. ALBERT WENT TO FRANCE IN SEPTEMBER 1917, BUT WAS WOUNDED IN THE HEAD. HE RETURNED TO FRANCE IN MAY 1918. COMMEMORATED ROCQUIGNY-EQUANCOURT ROAD BRITISH CEMETERY, MANANCOURT, SOMME, FRANCE. USED BY THE 3^RD CANADIAN AND 18^TH CASUALTY CLEARING STATIONS, THERE ARE NEARLY 2000, 1914-18 WAR CASUALTIES COMMEMORATED ON THIS SITE WHICH LIES HALF WAY BETWEEN THE VILLAGES OF ROCQUIGNY AND EQUANCOURT.

HARRY GOODWIN, PRIVATE, 15^TH BATTALION ROYAL SCOTS. KILLED 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 22. SON OF THE LATE J. F. GOODWIN. HARRY LIVED WITH HIS BROTHER AT 12 HIGH LEA ROAD. EMPLOYED AT VICTORIA MILLS, NEWTOWN. HE ATTENDED THE UNITED METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL,  AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE FORESTERS CLUB.HARRY HAD BEEN IN THE ARMY AROUND A YEAR AND AT THE FRONT SINCE FEBRUARY COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

W. GRAHAM, PRIVATE, 240873. 1^ST/ 5^TH BATTALION; ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS. DIED ON SUNDAY, 30^TH JUNE 1918. COMMEMORATED TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

WILLIAM GREENWOOD, SAPPER, 440164. 428^TH (EAST LANCS) FIELD COMPANY, ROYAL ENGINEERS. DIED OF WOUNDS 5^TH MAY 1918. AGE 37. HUSBAND OF MRS M. A. GREENWOOD OF 33 NEW STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS A BLACKSMITH AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ASSOCIATED WITH THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. WILLIAM HAD FOUGHT IN EGYPT AND GALLIPOLI BEFORE ARRIVING IN FRANCE. BURIED COUIN NEW BRITISH CEMETERY-PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

HARRY GRIFFIN, PRIVATE, 1^ST KINGS LIVERPOOL REGIMENT. KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF LOOS 27^TH SEPTEMBER 1915. AGED 29. WOUNDED FLANDERS. SON OF HARRY GRIFFIN OF POETS CORNER, EAVES KNOLL. WORKED IN THE COLOUR SHOP OF STRINES PRINTWORKS. HARRY WAS A MEMBER OF NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND.

WILLIAM HADFIELD, PRIVATE, 29190. 1^ST BATTALION EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 18^TH OCTOBER 1916. AGED 28. HUSBAND OF SARAH JANE HADFIELD, OF LANESIDE FARM, LOW LEIGHTON, NEW MILLS. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL- SOMME.

PERCY HALLAM, LANCE CORPORAL, ROYAL ENGINEERS. DIED OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS APRIL 1918. AGED 26. RECOMMENDED FOR THE DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL. SON OF FRANK HALLAM OF BUXTON ROAD, NEWTOWN. EMPLOYED AT WIRKSMOOR MILL. CONNECTED WITH NEWTOWN WESLEYAN CHURCH. PERCY WHO ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN 1916, LEFT A WIDOW.

GEORGE HAMMOND, PRIVATE, 26164. KING'S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED 16^TH SEPTEMBER 1916. AGED 22. SON OF MR AND MRS GEORGE HAMMOND OF 130, VINE TAVERN ROW. ATTENDED THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL- SOMME, FRANCE.

JOHN HAMPSON, PRIVATE, 15371. 8^TH BATTALION SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF HIS WOUNDS ON THE 15^TH JULY 1916. AGED 28,. SON OF GEORGE AND EMMA HAMPSON. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. FOND OF WRESTLING, CYCLING AND GYMNASTICS. INTERRED IN THE MILLANCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY. JOHN IS ALSO COMMEMORATED ON HIS PARENTS GRAVE IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD.

"GONE TO HIS REST THROUGH THE PATHWAY OF DUTY.

VENTURING HIS LIFE THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE.

SUCH ARE THE WORDS OF THE TABLET OF BEAUTY.

                  IN LETTERS IMMORTAL IN HONOUR WE GIVE.

                  SAFE IN HIS FATHERS HOME."

THOMAS HAMPSON, PRIVATE, 22^ND BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT (PALS). KILLED 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 24. SON. TOM WAS EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. ATTENDED THE UNITED METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. A FRIEND WROTE " I WAS ONLY A FEW YARDS FROM TOM WHEN WE BEGAN THE CHARGE. WE HAD NOT GONE FAR BEFORE TOM FELL TO THEIR WICKED FIRE". COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

ALBERT HALL, PRIVATE, 40803. 1^ST BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS. KILLED 4^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 20. YOUNGEST SON OF CHARLES HALL OF QUAKER COTTAGE, BIRCH VALE. SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ALBERT JOINED UP AS SOON AS HE REACHED MILITARY AGE AND WENT TO FRANCE AS SOON AS HIS TRAINING WAS COMPLETE. COMMEMORATED PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL, COMINES-WARNETON, HAINAUT, BELGIUM.

JOHN HALL, GUNNER,57^TH SIEGE BATTERY ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. KILLED 24^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 22. SON OF CHARLES HALL. LIVED AT QUAKER COTTAGE, BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL. JOHN HAD BEEN IN FRANCE TWELVE MONTHS.

JAMES HALL, PRIVATE, DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. SON OF CHARLES HALL OF QUAKER COTTAGE, BIRCH VALE. HAD ONLY BEEN IN FRANCE A FEW MONTHS WHEN REPORTED MISSING ON THE 18^TH MAY 1918.HE WAS LATER PRESUMED TO HAVE DIED ON THATDATE. OF THE FIVE SONS OF CHARLES HALL WHO ENTERED SERVICE THE THREE ABOVE FELL IN ACTION AND THE OTHER TWO WERE WOUNDED

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ZEPPELIN!

One of the most interesting, and to the local people of the time, frightening events of the Great War occurred on the 31^st of January, 1916. The threat of the German Navy's Zeppelin force had not been underestimated in the south of England, where since the first raid on the 19^th of January 1915 such defences as could be made had been affected. These usually involved towns on the path of the approaching raiders turning off their lights. But the Zeppelins commonly navigated to their targets by following roads, rivers or railways. Once over their target flares were dropped before bombing commenced. The defenders responded with searchlights and artillery fire, but most of the time the Zeppelins flew too high to be reached by either. By October 1915, there had been 22 raids on British targets, these had caused light casualties and damage to property, compared to later raids, but the effects on morale were much more important. The fact that the German navy could strike at the heart of England was unthought of, and many people in the populous feared that the Germans would drop gas bombs.

On the 31^st of January 1916, nine Zeppelins took off for England. The force was led by Korvetten Kapitan Peter Strasser aboard Zeppelin L11, his orders were to attack middle and South England and if at all possible Liverpool. L11's Captain was Kapitanleutnant Von Buttlar, All of the ships reported low thick fog over the North Sea. Most of the force made land fall to the south of their intended points and due to the thick fog which obscured landmarks wrongly identified their positions which throughout the night led to the bombing of wrongly identified targets. The Germans claimed to have bombed Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham, Goole, Immingham and Yarmouth. The German official claim read "On the night of Jan 31^st one of our naval airship squadrons dropped large quantities of explosives and incendiary bombs on the docks, harbour and factories in and near Liverpool and Birkenhead, on the iron foundries and smelting furnaces at Nottingham and Sheffield, and the great industrial works on the Humber and near Great Yarmouth. Everywhere, marked affects were observed in the gigantic explosions and serious conflagrations. On the Humber a battery was also silenced. Our airships were heavily fired on from all directions, but were not hit and returned safely."

In fact they bombed none of these places.

L13 and L21 were the first to come inland near Mundesley, Norfolk at 5-50 p.m. L13 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Heinrich Mathy(died in the destruction of L31) moved rapidly toward the Midlands and at 9-15 dropped seven bombs at the glow of a blast furnace in Stoke-on-Trent. Mathy believed that he had bombed Manchester. At 11-45 during a break in the cloud Mathy wrongly identified Goole and dropped his remaining bombs. These actually fell in Scunthorpe. L21 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Max Dietrich passed south of Nottingham and north of Derby, which he mistook for Manchester, heading as he though for Liverpool. Dietrich eventually dropped his bombs on a suburb of Birmingham in the belief that he was over the port of Liverpool.

L11 came ashore in Lincolnshire and correctly identified Lincoln. South of Sheffield, Von Buttlar observed a brightly lit instillation which he and Strasser believed to be a Prisoner of war camp. At around 11 p.m. Von Buttlar was sure that he was over the west coast, but the heavy fog obscured every landmark. After consultation with his commander they decided that having seen no definite military targets to turn back. It is probable that L11's farthest west was the Peak District. Certainly L11 came within a few minutes flight of the Sett valley and may have been as close as Rainow.

L14 commanded by Alois Bocker who was captured later in the war, dropped 4,150 pounds of bombs on "big factories and blast furnaces" in Derby. Nine bombs fell in the Midland Railway's maintenance shops and engine houses, killing three men and injuring two others. A women also died of shock.

L20 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Franz Stabbert suffered engine trouble, but managed to reach Burton-on-Trent on the Derbyshire, Staffordshire border, believing it was Sheffield, he made his main attack. Burton-on-Trent was well lit and Stabbert dropped twenty seven 110-pound bombs in six runs between 9-30 and 10-15. This was the first of three attack on the town that night. The light from the fires started by L20 no doubt attracted the others.

L15 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Breithaupt made its main attack on Burton-on-Trent though its unlikely he had identified his target correctly.

L16 and L17 both experienced engine trouble and cut short their flights over England after dropping a small portion of their bombs.

L19 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Loewe made the third attack on Burton-on-Trent at 10-45 p.m. before dropping its remaining bombs on Birmingham. L19 failed to make it home. After the Airship had been missing for three days a British trawler sighted the wreck of the Zeppelin floating on the sea 110 miles off Flamborough Head. The trawlers skipper reported his sighting , but failed to approach the stricken airship, fearing that he and his crew might be over-powered. The airship went down with all hands. Six months later a last message from Loewe was found washed ashore in a bottle on the Swedish coast.

An heavily censured report of the raid on Derby appeared in the London Daily Express "a town in this county was under the spell of the Zeppelin scare for nearly five hours.

It was at 7-20 p.m. that the prolonged chorus of hooters, sirens, and other signals warned the people that an airship was believed to be approaching, and this was accepted as a hint to all concerned to lower their lights or to extinguish them altogether. The works brought their operations to a standstill, the tramcars came to an abrupt stop, and the shops were closed. About eight o'clock explosions could be heard eight or ten miles away to the east. It was afterwards found that a Zeppelin had attempted to bomb some furnaces, but they were in no way damaged. Offices and a row of workmen's cottage were hit, and a church was also damaged.

Just after eight o'clock the Zeppelin arrived over----(Derby), but though its motors could be plainly heard it dropped no bombs. It then went to a town (Burton-on-Trent) ten or twelve miles to the west, and distinct sounds of exploding bombs could be heard for some time afterwards. It is said that this town suffered because it had not received an official warning, with the result that there had been no diminution of the normal lighting. A factory in no way concerned with the production of munitions was damaged.

Up to ten o'clock ------- had escaped direct attack, though Zeppelins could be heard at many distant points. At that hour the sounds ceased entirely, and the people began to flatter themselves that the danger had passed. Just before twelve o'clock the official mind was so much at rest that the special constables were dismissed. The tramcars were sent home, certain works resumed their activities, and lights were turned up at one end of the town. How far this was responsible for what happened subsequently can only form the subject of conjecture. At seven minutes past twelve this end of the town was visited by a Zeppelin, apparently on its way home, and in less than 12 minutes five or six separate explosions occurred. Bombs were dropped two or three at a time. The Zeppelin then made its way to the east. It was distinctly seen during its stay over ------ by thousands of people.

Most of the bombs fell at points where they were calculated to do the least damage. Several shops were wrecked at a works and one bomb killed three men and injured others. A woman 200 or 300 yards away died of heart failure."

In New Mills the street lighting had been turned out during the raid, and on the 9^th of Febuary the Town Council decided to discontinue street lighting for the duration of the war due to the danger posed by raiding Zeppelins. Local people must have been horrified to read that bombs had fallen in Derbyshire. It was for many people, a nightly fear that the German raiders would be heard overhead and there were several panics and false alarms in the district. In fact the Zeppelins only returned once to this area, when on the 25^th of September Kapitanleutnant Martin Dietrich reached Sheffield and bombed the city. Twenty eight people were killed and nineteen injured. The Zepplin force under the command of Korvettenkapitan Peter Strasser continued to raid England until the end of the war. Strasser himself died near Yarmouth in August, 1918.

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JAMES ANDREW HARRISON, PRIVATE, 27906. 2^ND HAMPSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 16^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 29. SON OF MR JOHN HARRISON OF DISLEY. JAMES WHO WAS MARRIED LIVED ON JODRELL STREET. HE WAS EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. ASSOCIATED WITH ST. MARY'S CHURCH DISLEY. JAMES WAS A WELL KNOWN CRICKETER AND FOOTBALLER. HAD BEEN IN FRANCE SIX MONTHS.

JOHN WILLIAM HARROP, PRIVATE, 59809. 2^ND BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT.(PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN). KILLED 27^TH MAY 1918. AGE 19. SON OF ROBERT AND SARAH JANE HARROP, OF 80 HIGH STREET, NEW MILLS. NO NEWS OF JOHN'S FATE HAD REACHED HIS PARENTS BY THE TURN OF THE YEAR. THEY HOPED THAT HE MIGHT BE A PRISONER. HOWEVER HIS DEATH WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE OCCURRED ON THE 27^TH OF MAY. COMMEMORATED SOISSONS MEMORIAL- AISNE.

WILLIAM HARTLE, PRIVATE, 36618. 9^TH BATTALION KINGS OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED 22^ND MARCH 1918. AGED 23. SON OF THOMAS AND ELIZA HARTLE OF HIGHFIELD FARM, LOW LEIGHTON, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT BANK END COLLIERY. CONNECTED WITH NEW MILLS PARISH CHURCH. WILLIAM HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR TWELVE MONTHS HAVING ONLY RECENTLY RETURNED THERE AFTER A PERIOD OF LEAVE AT HOME. COMMEMORATED POZIERES MEMORIAL-SOMME.

ERNEST HAYTHORN, SAPPER, 99758, 465^TH FIELD COMPANY ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED 14^TH APRIL 1918. AGE 24. SON OF MR AND MRS JOHN HAYTHORN, OF 17 OAK BANK, BUXTON ROAD, NEWTOWN, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED BY SCATTERGOOD AND SONS, BUILDERS. ATTENDED ST. GEORGE'S PARISH CHURCH. ERNEST'S FATHER JOHN ALSO SERVED IN FRANCE, FOR FOUR YEARS. BURIED LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY- PAS DE CALAIS.

BERNARD HEATHCOTE, SAPPER, 440473. ROYAL ENGINEERS. DIED OF WOUNDS(GAS) 16^TH JANUARY 1921. AGED 27. SON OF JOSEPH AND ELIZABETH HEATHCOTE, OF CUMBERLAND HOUSE, NEW MILLS. BURIED NEW MILLS (ST. GEORGE) CHURCHYARD.

RICHARD HEWSON, PRIVATE, CHESHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 24. WORKED AS A FARM LABOURER AT RINGSTONES FARM, ROWARTH AND BANKHEAD FARM, THORNSETT. JOINED UP IN 1914 AND WENT TO INDIA. RICHARD ARRIVED IN FRANCE AS A MEMBER OF THE INDIAN CONTINGENT. HE HAD BEEN FIGHTING FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS WHEN HE FELL.

HUBERT HIBBERT, LANCE CORPORAL, 1^ST BATTALION SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS. KILLED 28^TH FEBUARY 1917. AGED 20. SON OF MR AND MRS JOS HIBBERT OF WESTFIELD TERRACE, NEW MILLS. ATTENDED NEW MILLS SECONDARY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED BY THE INCANDESCENT MANTLE WORKS AT BREDBURY. JOINED UP OCTOBER 25^TH 1915, TRAINED IN SCOTLAND BEFORE GOING TO MESOPOTAMIA (MODERN IRAQ). HUBERT DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN HEAVY FIGHTING AT KUT EL AMARA.

WILLIAM HIGGINBOTTOM, CORPORAL, 44901. 149^TH COMPANY. MACHINE GUN CORPS (INFANTRY). KILLED 19^TH APRIL 1917. AGED 39. SON OF WILLIAM AND THERESA HIGGINBOTTOM, OF NEW MILLS; HUSBAND OF RACHEL ANN HIGGINBOTTOM, OF 95 BUXTON ROAD, NEWTOWN. WILLIAM WAS A KEEN FOOTBALLER AND A DEVOTE ROMAN CATHOLIC. HE WAS EMPLOYED AT ALBERT BLEACHWORKS BEFORE JOINING UP. ONE OF 100 LOCAL LADS WHO JOINED UP AS SOON AS WAR WAS DECLARED ON THE 4^TH AUGUST 1914. BY JANUARY 1915, 334 HAD JOINED. WILLIAM WENT FIRST TO IRELAND DURING THE REBELLION. THEN ON TO FRANCE. WORD OF HIS DEATH CAME, AS WAS COMMON, VIA A FRIEND AT THE FRONT "THERE WAS HIM AND A LANCE CORPORAL IN A FUNK HOLE. THERE WAS NO TRENCHES WHERE THEY WERE, AND A SHELL CAME AND DROPPED STRAIGHT ON TOP OF THEM AND BURIED THEM AND KILLED THEM OUTRIGHT." SERGEANT HIGGINBOTTOM HAD JUST RECEIVED HIS SECOND STRIPE AND TAKEN CHARGE OF A MACHINE GUN TEAM. LEFT A WIDOW AND 5 CHILDREN. BURIED WANCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY- PAS DE CALAIS.

HERBERT HIGGINBOTTOM, PRIVATE, 2^ND/6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). DIED OF WOUNDS ON THE 1^ST MAY 1917. HIS 26^TH BIRTHDAY. HERBERT LIVED IN MEAL STREET. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT BILLIARD PLAYER WELL KNOWN AT THE TRADES HALL. JOINED UP IN 1914 AND WENT TO IRELAND DURING THE REBELLION BEFORE SAILING TO FRANCE TEN WEEKS BEFORE HE DIED. AS THE ONLY SON OF A WIDOWED MOTHER AND THE BREAD WINNER HERBERT NEED NOT HAVE JOINED THE FORCES. CONNECTED TO NEW MILLS PARISH CHURCH.

WILLIAM HENRY HIGGINBOTTOM, PRIVATE, 240667. 2^ND/6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). 1^ST MAY 1917. AGE 26, SON OF MARY ANNIE HIGGINBOTTOM, OF 35 MEAL STREET, NEW MILLS. BURIED LA CHAPELETTE BRITISH AND INDIAN CEMETERY, PERONNE-SOMME. 

"COULD I, HIS MOTHER, HAVE CLASPED HIS HANDTHE SON I LOVED SO WELL;

OR KISSED HIS BROW WHEN DEATH WAS NIGH AND WHISPERED; MY SON FAREWELL."

THOMAS HILL, RIFLEMAN, 43080. ROYAL IRISH RIFLES. KILLED SATURDAY 4^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 27.SON OF ISAAC AND ANNIE HILL OF 101, THORNSETT; HUSBAND OF MARY LOIS HILL, OF 103, THORNSETT, BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT INDEPENDENT CHAPEL. WHILST TOM AND ONE OF HIS MATES WERE CARRYING A WOUNDED MAN BACK FROM THE FRONT LINE TO A FIELD DRESSING CENTRE THEY WERE CAUGHT BY A SHELL WHICH EXPLODED CLOSE BY. TOM DIED OF HIS WOUNDS. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, LEPER, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

WILLIAM HILL, SAPPER, ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED 30^TH MARCH 1918. AGED 26. SON OF BERNARD HILL OF NEWTOWN. MARRIED. EMPLOYED BY J. W. SWINDELLS AS A JOINER. ATTENDED ST GEORGE'S PARISH CHURCH. JOINED THE ARMY IN DECEMBER 1917. WILLIAM WAS FOUND DEAD ON THE BATTLEFIELD FOLLOWING AN ATTACK.

FREDERICK HODDER, PRIVATE, ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. KILLED 25^TH OCTOBER 1915. AGED 28. SHOT BY A SNIPER. EMPLOYED BY MR W. DYER, JODDRELL STREET AS A HAIR DRESSER.

STANLEY HOLROYD, PRIVATE, KINGS SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED 19^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 25. LIVED AT CIOUGH VIEW, BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AS AN ENGRAVER AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. STANLEY WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ZION CHAPEL AND SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HE PLAYED BOTH THE PIANO AND ORGAN. HIS MANY FRIENDS HAD BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING HIM PLAY THE NEW HEAVY PIPE ORGAN WHICH WAS TO BE ERECTED AS SOON AS THE WAR ENDED. STANLEY ENLISTED IN MARCH 1916 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN JULY. HE WAS WOUNDED IN THE SHOULDER , BUT RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT LINE.

JOHN HOWARD, SERJEANT, 8551. 9^TH BATTALION LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS. KILLED 21^ST AUGUST 1915, DARDANELLES. AGED 31. SON OF WILLIAM AND ELIZA HOWARD; HUSBAND OF MARIA HOWARD, OF 142 WOODLAND TERRACE, LOW LEIGHTON, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. MEMBER OF BIRCH CRICKET CLUB. JOHN WAS KILLED WHILST LAYING A TELEPHONE CABLE AT THE FRONT. A FRIEND WRITING FROM TURKEY TOLD THE FAMILY HE ASKED THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF LAYING THE CABLE" CAN I GO SIR". COMMEMORATED HELLES MEMORIAL, TURKEY.

GEORGE JACKSON, PRIVATE, SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 1^ST OCTOBER 1916. AGED 29. SON OF MR AND MRS THOMAS JACKSON OF HAYFIELD ROAD. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. A MEMBER OF THE TRADES HALL WHERE HE WAS WELL KNOWN AS A GOOD BILLIARD PLAYER.

FRANK JACKSON, PRIVATE, 20432. 'D' COMPANY. 14^TH BATTALION THE KINGS ROYAL RIFLES (LIVERPOOL REGIMENT). KILLED IN ACTION 30^TH APRIL 1917. AGED 23. SON OF WILLIAM AND ISABELLA JACKSON, OF 62 HALL STREET, NEW MILLS. JOINED UP WITHIN A MONTH OF THE OUTBREAK OF WAR. ATTENDED ST. JAMES SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINT WORKS. FRANKS FATHER WAS SERVING WITH THE MIDDLESEX REGIMENT. KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY.

WILLIAM HUGH JEFFS, PRIVATE, NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED DECEMBER 1917. AGED 24. MARRIED TO MARION JEFFS NEE RICE. HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN WITH THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS. WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AS A PORTER AT NEW MILLS CENTRAL STATION WHERE HE WAS WELL KNOWN AND WELL LIKED. HE ATTENDED ST. GEORGE'S PARISH CHURCH WHERE HE MARRIED IN MAY 1917. WILLIAM WHO WAS A MEMBER OF THE TRADES HALL SOCIAL CLUB HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR THREE MONTHS WHEN HE WAS KILLED.

JOHN JENNISON, PRIVATE, GRENADIER GUARDS. SHOT BY A SNIPER AND OF DIED OF WOUNDS NOVEMBER 1915.AGE 34. MARRIED WITH SIX CHILDREN. JOHN LIVED ON TORR TOP STREET AND WAS EMPLOYED AT NEW MILLS GAS WORKS.

NORMAN JONES, PRIVATE, 12084. 8^TH BATTALION NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. DIED OF DYSENTERY AT SUVLA ON THE 22^ND DECEMBER 1915. AGED 22. SON OF HARRY JONES OF 63 HALL STREET, NEW MILLS. PRIOR TO ENLISTING NORMAN WAS EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. HE WAS SOPRANO PLAYER WITH NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND. THE OLD PRIZE BAND, WHO WERE HOME ON FURLOUGH LED THE FUNERAL CORTEGE FROM NORMAN'S HOME TO ST GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD AND FOLLOWING THE SERVICE PLAYED THE HYMN TUNE 'NEARER MY GOD TO THEE' OVER THE GRAVE. NORMAN WAS BURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS.

"REST ON BRAVE SON THY WARFARE'S OVER,

SLEEP THE SLEEP THAT KNOWS NO WAKING,

DREAM OF BATTLEFIELDS NO MORE."

NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND ENLISTED AS A BODY IN NOVEMBER 1914. THE RANKS OF THE BAND HAD ALREADY BEEN DEPLETED WHEN SOME MEMBERS WERE CALLED UP AND OTHERS ENLISTED. THE REMAINDER OF THE BAND DECIDED TO ENLIST TOGETHER IN THE RESERVE TERRITORIAL BATTALION IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MIGHT BECOME THE BATTALION BAND. THEY WERE JOINED BY SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THORNSETT BAND IN ORDER THAT A FULL BAND WOULD BE AVAILABLE. AS THEY HAD HOPED THE OLD PRIZE BAND BECAME THE BATTALION BAND UNDER THEIR POPULAR CONDUCTOR, JOHNNIE BEARD. THEIR PATRIOTIC ACTIONS WERE ENTHUSIASTICALLY ACCLAIMED IN THE TOWN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BAND MARCHED AROUND THE TOWN WITH OTHER TERRITORIALS. PLAYING PATRIOTIC PIECES FOR THE PLEASURE OF THE NUMEROUS SPECTATORS. FOLLOWING THE ARMISTICE THE MEMBERS OF THE BAND WERE QUICKLY DEMOBILIZED AND THE BAND MADE ITS FIRST APPEARANCE IN NEW MILLS FOR FOUR YEARS ON THE 15^TH MARCH 1919. THEY RECEIVED A WARM WELCOME FROM THE PUBLIC.

ARTHUR KIRK, PRIVATE, 243591.6^TH (GARRISON) BATTALION; ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS ATTD. RAILWAY OPERATING DIV; ROYAL ENGINEERS. DIED SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST 1918. SON OF OSWALD KIRK OF 95 HIGH STREET. EMPLOYED AS A TICKET COLLECTOR AT EDGLEY STATION, STOCKPORT. HE HAD FORMERLY BEEN A PORTER AT NEW MILLS AND FURNESS VALE. ARTHUR ENLISTED IN OCTOBER 1915 AND TRAINED AT WREXHAM, CURRAH CAMP , IRELAND AND GABOWEN NEAR OSWESTRY. WENT TO EGYPT IN SEPTEMBER 1916 AND TOOK PART IN THE FIGHTING IN PALASTINE AND THE CAPTURE OF JERUSALEM. ARTHUR WAS WOUNDED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. HE DIED OF PNEUMONIA IN ALEXANDRIA. COMMEMORATED KANTARA WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, EGYPT.

CHARLES WILLIAM LEVERINGTON, STOKER 1^ST CLASS. ROYAL NAVY. CHARLES HAD BEEN ILL SINCE RETURNING HOME AND DIED OF PNEUMONIA 20^TH JULY 1919. AGED 33. SON OF JOHN AND ANN LEVERINGTON. CHARLES WAS A BACHELOR WHO LIVED WITH HIS BROTHER ON BUXTON ROAD. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. CHARLES WHO WAS IN THE NAVAL RESERVE WAS MOBILISED AT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR. HE TOOK PART IN MANY ENGAGEMENTS, INCLUDING BEEN TORPEDOED WHILST SERVING IN H.M.S. GABARIAN OFF THE IRISH COAST. CHARLES WAS TORPEDOED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES AND LOST ALL THAT HE HAD, ESCAPING ONLY WITH HIS LIFE. CHARLES WAS BURIED IN ST GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS. THE FOLLOWING WEEK DISCHARGED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS NUMBERING AROUND ONE HUNDRED WALKED IN PROCESSION TO THE GRAVESIDE WHERE THE HYMN "SAFE HOME IN PORT" WAS SUNG IN MEMORY OF THEIR COMRADE.

WILLIAM MORRALL LIDDIARD, LANCE CORPORAL, 36227, 7^TH BATTALION LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 6^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 26. SON OF SQUIRE AND RUTH LIDDIARD, OF 25, BRIDGE STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. CONNECTED TO THE PROVIDENCE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. WILLIAM WAS WELL KNOWN AS A FOOTBALLER WITH HAYFIELD ALBION. HE HAD WON BOTH LEAGUE AND CHAMPIONSHIP MEDALS WITH THE CLUB. MARRIED WITH TWO CHILDREN. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL, BELGIUM.

SQUIRE BUCKLEY LIDDIARD, LANCE CORPORAL,(PROMOTED ON THE BATTLEFIELD), 1565. 6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS ( NOTTS & DERBY REGT) DIED 29^TH JUNE 1915 OF WOUNDS RECEIVED ON THE 25^TH. AGED 19. SON OF SQUIRE AND RUTH LIDDIARD, 25 BRIDGE STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED GARRISON BLEACHWORKS. PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH HAYFIELD ALBION FC, WON DERBYSHIRE MEDALS IN THE 1913-14 SEASON. BURIED BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION -NORD, FRANCE.

JOHN LITTLEFORD, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY) REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS ON THE 24^TH SEPTEMBER 1918.AGED 22. SON OF PETER LITTLEFORD OF THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT INDEPENDENT SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOHN WAS IN THE TERRITORIALS WHEN WAR BEGAN. HE ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN FEBUARY 1915 AND TOOK PART IN MANY ENGAGEMENTS. WOUNDED IN 1917, BUT RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT. JOHN DIED OF GUNSHOT WOUNDS WHILST BEING CONVEYED TO A DRESSING STATION IN A FIELD AMBULANCE. JOHN WAS ONE OF FORTY TWO SOLDIERS AT THE FRONT CONNECTED TO THE THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. EACH HAD RECEIVED A POSTAL ORDER FOR SEVEN SHILLINGS AND SIX PENCE AND A PAIR OF SOCKS FOR CHRISTMAS 1917.

JACK LITTLER, SERGEANT, EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 23^RD NOVEMBER 1916. EMPLOYED BY NEW MILLS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY AT ITS NEWTOWN BRANCH AS A COUNTERMAN, WHERE HE PROVED VERY POPULAR WITH BOTH CUSTOMERS AND STAFF. JACK LEFT THE CO-OP ONE WEDNESDAY AT NOON AND TOGETHER WITH A COLLEAGUE JACK DEWSNAP THEY ENLISTED AT ASHTON TOWN HALL. THEY TRAINED AND FOUGHT TOGETHER UNTIL JACK DEWSNAP WAS WOUNDED IN SEPTEMBER 1916. SERGEANT LITTLER'S COMMANDING OFFICER WROTE "I FEAR HIS PLACE WILL BE DIFFICULT TO FILL. HE WAS A VERY TRUE BRITISH SOLDIER AND A HERO."

FRANK LOMAS, RIFLEMAN, ROYAL IRISH RIFLES. MISSING PRESUMED KILLED 9^TH MAY 1915 AFTER AN ENGAGEMENT AT ROUGE BANCS. AGE 24. SON OF MR AND MRS LUKE LOMAS OF WOOD STREET, NEWTOWN. BROTHER OF PRIVATE LUKE LOMAS. EMPLOYED BY J. HUDSON AND SON.

LUKE LOMAS, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY) REGIMENT. KILLED 12^TH MARCH 1917. AGED 20. SON OF MR AND MRS LUKE LOMAS OF WOOD STREET, NEWTOWN. LUKE WAS A SCHOLAR OF ST. LUKES SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS PRIOR TO JOINING UP IN 1914. HE HAD BEEN INVALIDED HOME FROM FRANCE SUFFERING FROM TRENCH FOOT, BUT AFTER ELEVEN MONTHS RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT. ONE OF FIVE BROTHERS, FOUR OF THEM IN THE ARMY.

ARTHUR MARSH, PRIVATE, 31138. 13^TH BATTALION ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS ATTACHED TO THE 254^TH TUNNELING COMPANY. ROYAL ENGINEERS. DIED OF INJURIES RECEIVED FROM A GERMAN RIFLE GRENADE EXPLOSION, 7^TH APRIL 1916. AGED 19. SON OF FREDERICK AND ELIZA MARSH OF GORTON MANCHESTER. NATIVE OF NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED BY CALICO PRINTERS. PLAYED THE VIOLIN FOR THE NEWTOWN STRING BAND. BURIED GORRE BRITISH AND INDIAN CEMETERY- PAS DE CALAIS.

J. H. MARSH, PRIVATE, 8519. 2^ND BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT ). KILLED 20^TH OCTOBER 1914. AGED 36. HUSBAND OF OLIVE LEIGH (FORMERLY MARSH), OF 24 TORR TOP, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT NEW MILLS GAS WORKS. BROTHER FRED WAS TAKEN PRISONER IN THE SAME ENGAGEMENT. BURIED RATION FARM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA CHAPELLE-D'ARMENTIERES- NORD.

FRANK MARCHINGTON, PRIVATE, 242003. 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. SHOT BY A SNIPER 7^TH MAY 1917. AGED 19. SON OF P. MARCHINGTON, OF 36, CHAPEL STREET, NEW MILLS. ATTENDED THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED BY DAVID HOWARD MEDICAL BOTANIST. COMMEMORATED HARGICOURT BRITISH CEMETERY- AISNE, FRANCE.

JAMES W. MASON, PRIVATE, 2^ND LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 1^ST JULY 1917. AGED 41. JAMES WAS A BACHELOR WHO LIVED ON EAVES KNOLL ROAD WITH HIS MOTHER AND NIECE WHO HE SUPPORTED. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD PRINTWORKS FOR 27 YEARS. ENLISTED IN APRIL 1916. JAMES HAD ONLY BEEN IN FRANCE EIGHT WEEKS WHEN HE WAS KILLED BY A FRAGMENT FROM A GERMAN SHELL. BURIED VLAMERTINGE NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, POPERINGTE.

GEORGE McNEE, PRIVATE, 17^TH MANCHESTER REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION 25^TH APRIL 1917. AGED 19. SON OF MR AND MRS ROBERT McNEE, OF BATE MILL ROW. GEORGE, THE ELDEST OF TEN CHILDREN, WON A DERBYSHIRE SCHOLARSHIP WHICH ENTITLED HIM TO ATTEND NEW MILLS SECONDARY SCHOOL. HE WAS EMPLOYED IN THE OFFICE OF BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ENLISTED IN 1915, AT THE AGE OF 17. GEORGE HAD BEEN AT THE FRONT FOR 18 MONTHS WHEN HE FELL. BURIED WARLENCOURT HALTE BRITISH CEMETERY, SAULTY, SOUTH WEST ARRAS , FRANCE.

JOHN CHARLES McQUAID, SERJEANT, 19386. 1^ST BATTALION LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED MONDAY 17^TH FEBUARY 1919. AGED 50. SON OF JOHN ARTHUR McQUAID; HUSBAND OF MARTHA McQUAID, OF SOUTH REDDISH. AT THE TIME HE JOINED UP JOHN WAS A POLICE SERGEANT WHO WAS LIVING AT BAMFORD, NEW MILLS. HE NEED NOT HAVE ENLISTED AS HE WAS AT THE TIME WELL OVER THE SERVICE AGE. HOWEVER, HE AND HIS INSPECTOR CHOSE TO SIGN UP TOGETHER AT NEW MILLS POLICE STATION. JOHN WAS AN EXPERIENCED SOLDIER WHO WAS DECORATED IN SOUTH AFRICA DURING THE BOER WAR. HE NO DOUBT HE FELT IT HIS DUTY TO RE-ENLIST. HE SERVED IN EGYPT AND THEN INDIA. HIS TIME IN THE HOT CLIMATE OF INDIA SEVERELY AFFECTED HIS HEALTH AND HE WAS DISCHARGED IN EARLY 1919. BURIED STOCKPORT (WILLOW GROVE) CEMETERY. 

WILLIAM MELLOR, PRIVATE, 31185. 17^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT).KILLED 3^RD OF SEPTEMBER 1916. AGED 23 SON OF HENRY AND CAROLINE MELLOR, OF BAMFORD, NEW MILLS; HUSBAND OF LILY MELLOR, OF I, ACTON PLACE , BUXTON. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL- SOMME.

GEORGE MILLS, PRIVATE, 33969. 10^TH BATTALION DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED IN ACTION 5^TH JUNE 1917. AGED 23. SON OF THOMAS AND MARY JANE MILLS, OF 2, ST. GEORGE'S ROAD, NEW MILLS. GEORGE WAS EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORK BEFORE THE WAR. HE HAD BEEN IN FRANCE SINCE MARCH 1916. BURIED HENINEL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION- PAS DE CALAIS. FRANCE.

GEORGE MIDDLETON, PRIVATE,83969. ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS. KILLED WHIT MONDAY 1917. AGED 24. GEORGE ATTENDED NEWTOWN WESLEYAN CHURCH. EMPLOYED AS A DRAPER. BROTHER OF THOMAS. GEORGE WAS WOUNDED AT ST. ELOI, BELGIUM WITH THE DUKE OF CORNWALLIS LIGHT INFANTRY. AFTER RECUPERATING ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT HE TRAVELLED TO SERBIA WITH THE ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS. GEORGE WAS INVALIDED HOME AGAIN SUFFERING THE EFFECTS OF TRENCH FEVER. AFTER RECOVERING HE ARRIVED IN FRANCE WHERE HE WAS WOUNDED. ONCE AGAIN GEORGE RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO ACTION IN FRANCE WHERE HE WAS KILLED.

THOMAS MIDDLETON, PRIVATE, 25977. ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. DIED OF ENTERIC FEVER 1^ST FEBUARY 1916. AGED 19. SON OF ARTHUR SOMERSET AND MARY JANE MIDDLETON OF NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS A PORTER AT NEWTOWN STATION. ATTENDED AMBULANCE CLASSES AT NEWTOWN AND ENLISTED IN THE MEDICAL CORPS. THOMAS DIED ABOARD H.M.S. GURKHA TWO DAYS FROM SOUTHAMPTON, ON HIS WAY HOME FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN FOR TREATMENT.

WILLIAM MOORCROFT, PRIVATE, 40098. 1^ST/5^TH BATTALION KING'S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED 21^ST JULY 1917.AGED 21. SON OF WILLIAM AND NELLIE MOORCROFT, LIVED AT BIRCH HALL FARM BEFORE MOVING TO 15, JODRELL STREET, NEWTOWN, NEW MILLS. WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AT ALBERT BLEACHWORKS. HE ATTENDED ST GEORGE'S PARISH CHURCH. ENLISTED MAY 1916. COMMEMORATED NIEUPORT MEMORIAL- NIEUWPOORT, WEST- VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

HAROLD REGINALD MORTON, PRIVATE, 11894. 19^TH BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 29^TH NOVEMBER 1916. AGED 21. SON OF JAMES AND ELIZA MORTON OF 31, UNION ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED BY DEAN AND DAWSON, TOURIST AGENTS. BURIED DOUCHY-LES- AYETTE BRITISH CEMETERY-PAS DE CALAIS.

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BOMBING GERMANS.

High Peak Reporter, January, 1916.:- Private Jack Lawton, Northumberland Fusiliers, of New Mills, in a letter home, relates how he spent his Christmas in the trenches. He says: "I have had a very rough Christmas. I have been bomb throwing a long while now, but I have never had a job like this before. The Germans have been sapping under the ground, so that they could blow our trenches up, but they made a bad judgement. They were 30 yards short, so they blew the ground up in between our front line and theirs. It made a hole about 40 feet deep and about 40 yards wide. It was like a big quarry, so there were so many bombers to go up each night and stop the Germans from coming through. The first night we went up we had a very rough time. We were walking up the trench to the front line. It was above our waist in water in a lot of places, and we had no big boots on. We were a mess. We had to go over a mile up the trenches before we came to the place, and it rained every night. You should have seen the mud. You have never seen so much mud in your life. We had to creep on our stomachs over this mud and water till we got nearly to the German trenches, and then we had to throw the bombs in. The nearest we got to he German trenches was about 20 yards off, and then we started throwing. But after every bomb you throw you must get as far down in the mud as you can, or else if the Germans see anything move on the ground they put the machine gun on you. And if that gets on you your number is up. They fire about 800 rounds a minute, but if you keep still when their lights go up they cannot see you, because your clothes are the same colour as the mud you are covered with. The first night we went up the Germans were throwing bombs as fast as we were, and we only had three wounded. You can tell yourself how near we were to the Germans. They were throwing just over our heads as we were lying on the ground, and I will bet we did away with a few Germans. Our bombs are 20 times better than theirs, and we got our wounded back to our trenches alright. We were out on Christmas eve. It was my birthday on the 27^th, and two of my best pals got killed. We were lying down in the mud just about 25 yards from the German front line when my pal let his bomb fall from his hand. He could not get out of the way for the mud, so it blew parts of him away. The other lad who was next to him got hit, and died in hospital the same day. The one who was killed on the spot we had to cover with mud and leave him. It was impossible to drag him through the mud without the Germans seeing us they would give us a what-what. Never mind, we are as happy as pigs in ---------, and as long as we keep living what does it matter? There are better days in store. I hope all New Mills people have had a good Christmas and a happy New Year. Never mind about us we are alright . if we have to go under we shall go. We are as happy as the next."

Private Jack Lawton enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers a year ago last October, (1914), and has been at the front since August 1915. He has had many exciting experiences. Most of his comrades have been killed or wounded, but he seems to have a charmed life, and so far has not been injured or sick. Before enlisting he was employed on the Midland Railway.

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FRANK NELSON, PRIVATE SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT).KILLED BETWEEN 31^ST JULY AND 3^RD AUGUST 1917. AGED 21. SON OF MR WILLIAM NELSON OF HIBBERT STREET, NEWTOWN. FRANK WAS EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. ATTACHED TO ST. JOHNS CHURCH. ENLISTED IN 1915, AND HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR SEVEN MONTHS. FRANK WENT THROUGH THE SOMME OFFENSIVE UNSCATHED. TWO BROTHERS ALSO IN FRANCE.

JOHN NIVEN, PRIVATE, ROYAL SCOTS. DIED 4^TH JUNE 1916. AGED 22. NEPHEW OF MESSRS GEORGE AND JAMES HOWARD DECORATORS. EMPLOYED AT HUNTERS GROCERS SHOP. JOINED UP TEN DAYS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF WAR. JOHN SUFFERED MULTIPLE SMALL SHELL WOUNDS ON THE 3^RD THESE WERE NOT DANGEROUS IN THEMSELVES, BUT GANGRENE SET IN AND JOHN DIED THE FOLLOWING DAY.

DANIEL NORMAN, PRIVATE,18402. 1^ST BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED BY SHELL FIRE ON THE 6^TH APRIL 1916. AGED 39. SON OF JOHN NORMAN, HUSBAND OF SARAH ELIZABETH NORMAN OF 16 JODRELL STREET, NEWTOWN, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT MESSRS ARNFIELD'S FOUNDRY. DANIEL WAS A KEEN ANGLER AND A MEMBER OF THE HIGH PEAK ANGLING CLUB. CAPTAIN NEVILLE WROTE "THE COMPANY WILL BE THE WORSE FOR HIS LOSS." MANY NEW MILLS MEN WHO CAME BACK FROM THE BATTLEFIELD AFTER BEING IN DANNY'S COMPANY TESTIFIED TO THE CHEERFULNESS WITH WHICH HE BORE HIMSELF. HE WOULD SING SO THAT THEY COULD HEAR HIM FROM ONE END OF THE TRENCH TO THE OTHER AND TELL THEM TO "CHEER UP." BURIED AIX-NOULETTE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, PAS DE CALAIS.

ERIC OAKES, SERGEANT, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGIMENT). KILLED 26^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 20. SON OF MR FRANCIS OAKES OF HAYFIELD ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT GARRISON BLEACHWORKS. ERIC ATTENDED THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL. HE WAS MOBILISED WITH THE TERRITORIALS ON THE 6^TH OF AUGUST 1914. TWO DAYS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF WAR. HE ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN FEBUARY 1915. AT THE TENDER AGE OF EIGHTEEN ERIC WAS PROMOTED TO FULL SERGEANT. HE SUFFERED SHELL SHOCK AFTER BEING BURIED UNDER DEBRIS WITH SIX OF HIS PALS, ALL OF WHOM WERE KILLED. ERIC WAS REPATRIATED, AND FOLLOWING HIS RECOVERY REJOINED THE FORESTERS IN FRANCE.

ON THE 26^TH SEPTEMBER ERIC WAS AGAIN WOUNDED BY A SHELL BURST. MEDICS WERE STRETCHERING HIM FROM THE TRENCHES WHEN A SECOND SHELL BURSTING CLOSE BY CLAIMED HIS LIFE. ERIC'S TWO BROTHERS ROY AND FRANK WERE ALSO SERVING.

ALBERT THOMAS OLDHAM, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED 19^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 30. SON OF THE LATE THOMAS OLDHAM. MARRIED AND LIVED AT CHAPEL STREET. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. ALBERT WAS ATTACHED TO ST. JAMES CHURCH. A MEMBER OF THE ODDFELLOWS LODGE. JOINED UP IN AUGUST 1916. THE COLONEL OF THE BATTALION WROTE "THE GALLANT CONDUCT OF YOUR HUSBAND DID MUCH TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE ATTACK".

WILLIAM WELSH PATERSON, RIFLEMAN, 1^ST/7^TH BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. (PRINCE OF WALES'S OWN). KILLED FRIDAY 11^TH OCTOBER 1918. AGED 19. SON OF GEORGE AND JEANIE PATERSON, OF 4, HIGHFIELD TERRACE, LOW LEIGHTON, NEW MILLS. WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AS A COUNTERMAN AT THE CO-OP ON BUXTON ROAD. SCHOLAR OF LOW LEIGHTON WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL, WHERE HE WAS ALSO SECRETARY. SGT A. ROUDEN WROTE " HE HAD BEEN MY PAL THROUGHOUT MY ARMY CAREER. I NATURALLY FEEL THE LOSS VERY MUCH INDEED. I TRUST IT WILL BE OF SOME CONSOLATION TO YOU TO KNOW THAT HIS DEATH WAS INSTANTANEOUS." COMMEMORATED VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

ROBERT PEEL, PRIVATE, 17709. 9^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). 5^TH NOVEMBER 1918. AGE 22. SON OF MRS A. PEEL OF 9 MARKET TERRACE, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED BY MESSRS J AND R LEE TINPLATE WORKERS. ASSOCIATED WITH THE TORR TOP MISSION. ROBERT VOLUNTEERED EARLY IN THE WAR AND HAD SEEN THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF FIGHTING. BURIED CAMBRAI EAST MILITARY CEMETERY-NORD, FRANCE.

WALTER PHILLIPS, CORPORAL, 71076. 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT).KILLED SATURDAY 4^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 23. SON OF THE LATE EDWARD AND MARY PHILLIPS. WALTER LIVED WITH AN AUNT MISS GRAHAM ON HIGH LEA ROAD. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS WHERE THE FLAG WAS LOWERED AS A MARK OF RESPECT. ATTENDED ST MARY'S CHURCH. WALTER WAS A WELL KNOWN LOCAL ATHLETE AND FOOTBALLER, WHO RAN FOR THE DISLEY HARRIERS. WALTER HAD SPENT A PERIOD AT HOME WITH SHELL SHOCK. DURING HIS THIRTY MONTHS AT THE FRONT. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, LEPER, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM. YPRES (NOW IEPER) IS A TOWN IN THE PROVINCE OF WEST FLANDERS. THE MEMORIAL IS SITUATED AT THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE TOWN ON THE ROAD TO MENIN AND COURTRAI AND BEARS THE NAMES OF THE MEN WHO WERE LOST WITHOUT TRACE DURING THE DEFENCE OF THE YPRES SALIENT.

ERNEST GEORGE PIKE, PRIVATE, 40130. 1^ST BATTALION YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF INFLUENZA, 29^TH OCTOBER 1918.

AGED 24. SON OF JOSEPH AND MARGARETTA PIKE, OF 204, ALBION ROAD, NEWTOWN, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. SCHOLAR OF NEWTOWN WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. ERNEST WAS REJECTED THREE TIMES BEFORE BEING ACCEPTED IN JUNE 1917. HE ARRIVED IN INDIA IN FEBUARY 1918. ERNEST WAS ATTACHED TO A MULE TRAINING CORP, TRAINING NATIVE SOLDIERS IN THE USE OF THE MULE. BURIED PESHAWAR. COMMEMORATED DELPHI MEMORIAL (INDIA GATE).

GILBERT POLLARD, PRIVATE, PS/1060. 23^RD BATTALION ROYAL FUSILIERS. 14^TH NOVEMBER 1916. AGED 20. SON OF MR H. POLLARD, OF HALL STREET, NEW MILLS. EDUCATED AT NEW MILLS SECONDARY SCHOOL WHERE HE PASSED AN OXFORD SENIOR EXAMINATION. ATTENDED VICTORIA UNIVERSITY, MANCHESTER. GILBERT HOPED TO TRAIN TO BECOME A TEACHER, HOWEVER HE BROKE OFF FROM HIS STUDIES TO JOIN THE ROYAL FUSILIERS (PUBLIC SCHOOLS BATTALION). GILBERT PLAYED CRICKET FOR NEW MILLS AND LACROSSE FOR DISLEY. HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LIBERAL CLUB WHERE HE WAS WELL KNOWN AS A FINE BILLIARDS PLAYER. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL-SOMME.

FRED POTTS, PRIVATE, 11^TH EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 21^ST DECEMBER 1916. AGED 26. SON OF WILLIAM POTTS, BAKER. HUSBAND OF ADA POTTS OF HIGH LEA. HAD BEEN MARRIED FOR FIFTEEN MONTHS. FRED WAS EMPLOYED AT TORR VALE MILL AS AN OVERLOCKER. HE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE.

JAMES POWELL, PRIVATE, 240683. 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT) KILLED 21^ST MARCH 1918. AGED 26. SON OF JAMES AND EMILY POWELL, OF ROYSTON, YORKSHIRE; HUSBAND OF CLARA POWELL, OF BACK BRIDGE STREET, NEW MILLS. JAMES WAS BY TRADE A COLLIER EMPLOYED BY THE OLLERSETT COLLIERY CO. HE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARISH CHURCH. JAMES ENLISTED AT A RECRUITMENT MEETING AT THE TOWN HALL IN NOVEMBER 1914. HE ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN EARLY 1916. INVALIDED HOME WITH TRENCH FEVER IN 1917, BUT RETURNED AT THE END OF THE YEAR. JAMES WAS REPORTED MISSING IN MARCH 1918 AND NO WORD CAME OF HIS FATE. HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOPED THAT HE MIGHT BE A PRISONER OF WAR. NEWS OF HIS DEATH CAME IN 1919 FROM WILLIE STORER A RECENTLY RELEASED PRISONER WHO KNEW JAMES AND HAD SEEN HIM KILLED BY A SHELL IN THE SAME ENGAGEMENT THAT HE HAD HIMSELF BEEN TAKEN PRISONER. COMMEMORATED ARRAS MEMORIAL- PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

CHARLES E. PREECE, PRIVATE, 8^TH BATTALION, WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED 4^TH JANUARY 1917. AGED 20. SON OF THOMAS AND MARY PREECE. COMMEMORATED ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY, FRANCE.

TOM PRESTWICH, PRIVATE, 35260, 12^TH NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. KILLED 4^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 23. SON OF JOSEPH PRESTWICH OF ALBION ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT ALBERT BLEACHWORKS. SCHOLAR OF THE UNITED METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. TOM HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR FIFTEEN MONTHS.

WILLIAM. ISAAC BARDSLEY REDFERN, PRIVATE, PLYMOUTH BATTALION, ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED IN THE DARDANELLES ON THE 24^TH JUNE 1915. SON OF ALFRED ISSAC REDFERN, CONTRACTOR OF SPRING BANK. WILLIAM'S COMMANDING OFFICER WROTE" IN YOUR SON I HAVE LOST ONE OF THE BEST MEN I HAVE HERE. ALWAYS WILLING AND CHEERFUL IN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF TIMES, AND ALWAYS CARRIED OUT HIS DUTIES LOYALLY AND HONESTLY. HE WAS KILLED WHEN ACTING AS SENTRY IN THE FIRING LINE AT A TIME WHEN THE TURKISH SNIPERS WERE VERY ACTIVE. HE WAS WOUNDED IN THE HEAD AND DIED ON THE WAY TO THE FIELD AMBULANCE. CHAPLAIN BEVEL CLOSE, WROTE "TODAY I BURIED YOUR SON IN A LITTLE CEMETERY WE HAVE HERE. HE WAS KILLED LAST NIGHT WHILE DOING HIS SHARE OF THE FIGHTING THAT HAS TO BE DONE. WE PRAYED FOR YOU ALL BY HIS GRAVESIDE."

LEVI RICHARDSON, PRIVATE, 14204, 15^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED 17^TH JULY 1918. AGED 28. SON OF MRS RICHARDSON, BROTHER OF DOROTHY RICHARDSON, OF 60 HIGH STREET. NEW MILLS. ATTENDED ST JAMES CHURCH. ENLISTED 1^ST SEPTEMBER 1914. LEVI WAS WOUNDED THREE TIMES AND TWICE GASSED DURING HIS TIME AT THE FRONT. WORD OF LEVI'S DEATH CAME VIA A LETTER FROM PRIVATE SWEATMORE, A NEW MILLS SOLDIER AND LEVI'S PAL FROM THE BATTALION. LEVI HAD BEEN OUT ON A PATROL WHICH MET A GERMAN POST AND WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED BY A GRENADE.

PRIVATE SWEATMORE STATED THAT WHILST HE WAS GOING OUT ALONG WITH THE STRETCHER BEARERS, HE FOUND LEVI DEAD AMONG THE BODIES NEAR THE POST. BURIED LOCRE No10 CEMETERY- HEUVELLAND, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

SIDNEY RICHARDSON, PRIVATE, MOTOR TRANSPORT. DIED 13^TH OCTOBER 1918. AGED 25. EMPLOYED AS A DRIVER FOR STRINES PRINTWORKS. SIDNEY BECAME ILL WITH THE SPANISH INFLUENZA WHILST AT A CAMP NEAR HUDDERSFIELD. HE DEVELOPED PNEUMONIA AND DIED. SADLY AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, ONE OF SIDNEY'S YOUNG CHILDREN AT HOME IN NEW MILLS DIED OF THE SAME CAUSE. BOTH FATHER AND CHILD WERE BURIED TOGETHER IN MARPLE CEMETERY. THE PANDEMIC OF INFLUENZA WHICH FOLLOWED THE FIRST WORLD WAR IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE KILLED UPTO SIXTY MILLION.

JAMES. T. RIGBY, PRIVATE, 27556. 2^ND/6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED 21^ST MARCH 1918. AGE 20. SON OF MRS S. J. JONES, OF 8, CHAPEL STREET, NEW MILLS. JAMES WAS EMPLOYED AT WIRKSMOOR MILL. ASSOCIATED WITH NEWTOWN WESLEYAN CHURCH. JAMES LIED ABOUT HIS AGE AND VOLUNTEERED FOR SERVICE IN 1915. BEFORE HE REACHED THE MILITARY ACCEPTANCE AGE OF 18. COMMEMORATED ARRAS MEMORIAL- PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

BERNARD STANLEY ROURKE, SECOND LIEUTENANT. ROYAL AIR FORCE. KILLED 10^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 19. ONLY SON OF MR BERNARD ROURKE. YOUNG BERNARD WHO WAS A MEMBER OF STRINES CRICKET CLUB WAS AN EXCELLENT ATHLETE WHO HAD WON MANY PRIZES. AFTER STUDYING AT NEW MILLS SECONDARY SCHOOL AND MANCHESTER COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY. BERNARD BECAME AN APPRENTICE ENGINEER WITH MESSRS ARUNDAL, STOCKPORT. JOINED UP AT THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN EVEN THOUGH HIS PROFESSION WOULD HAVE EXCEMPTED HIM FROM SERVICE. BERNARD WAS KILLED IN A FLYING ACCIDENT AT EDZELL, SCOTLAND. THE REPORT OF THE ACCIDENT STATES "THAT WHILE TAKING OFF THE MACHINE STRUCK A SCAFFOLD POLE". THE YOUNG OFFICER WAS UNCONSCIOUS WHEN PICKED UP BY THE AMBULANCE AND TAKEN TO ABERDEEN HOSPITAL. HE DID NOT REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS. BERNARD WAS BURIED AT ABERDEEN WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS.

WALTER ROWLAND, PRIVATE, 22708. 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). DIED OF ACCIDENTAL INJURIES ON THE 9^TH OF MAY 1917. AGED 24. SON OF HANNAH ROWLAND, OF 35, HIGH STREET, NEW MILLS. WALTER WAS ACCOMPANYING WOUNDED MEN ABOARD AN AMBULANCE TO A SHIP WHICH WAS TO TAKE THEM TO ENGLAND. AS THE AMBULANCE CROSSED RAILWAY SIDINGS ON THE HARBOUR FRONT IT WAS STRUCK BY A SHUNTING ENGINE. WALTER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE AND KILLED. WALTER HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN WOUNDED IN THE TRENCHES. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. MEMBER OF THE BATTALION BAND. BURIED CALAIS SOUTHERN CEMETERY-PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

FRANK ROXBY, PRIVATE, 22151 12^TH BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS 26^TH MARCH 1919. AGED 32. SON OF THOMAS GEORGE AND SARAH ROXBY; HUSBAND OF SARAH ALICE ROXBY, OF 10, LEA STREET, NEW MILLS. FRANK WAS EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. JOINED UP IN OCTOBER 1914. LEFT A WIDOW AND TWO CHILDREN. BURIED DISLEY (ST. MARY ) CHURCHYARD.

ROBERT WATERWORTH ROXBY, PRIVATE, 23305. 11^TH BATTALION CHESHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED AT MESSINESS 7^TH JUNE 1917. AGED 36. SON OF THOMAS GEORGE AND SARAH E. ROXBY, OF 6, OAK BANK, BUXTON ROAD, NEW MILLS. PLUMBER, EMPLOYED BY MR POTTS OF WHALEY BRIDGE. HAD BEEN WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL, BUT RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, BELGIUM.

ALEC SCHOFIELD, PRIVATE, 42592. 1^ST BATTALION LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. 24^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 19. SON OF BENJAMIN AND MARY JANE SCHOFIELD OF 'HURSTFIELD', CHURCH ROAD, NEW MILLS. SCHOLAR AT THE PARISH CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. ARTHUR WAS AN APPRENTICE AT HIS GRANDFATHERS FIRM J T. SCATTERGOOD BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR. BURIED TREFCON BRITISH CEMETERY, CAULAINCOURT-AISNE. ALSO COMMEMORATED ON HIS PARENTS GRAVE IN THE PARISH CHURCHYARD.

HENRY SERPELL, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED MARCH 1916. AGED 34. EMPLOYED AS A SHUNTER WITH THE MIDLAND RAILWAY. LEFT A WIDOW AND YOUNG FAMILY. IT IS ESPECIALLY SAD TO NOTE THAT HENRY'S YOUNG SON DIED OF DIPHTHERIA IN CHINLEY ISOLATION HOSPITAL ON THE SAME DAY AS HIS FATHER WAS KILLED IN FRANCE.

GEORGE FREDERICK SHARP, PRIVATE, 18482. 2^ND BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT) . KILLED 9^TH AUGUST 1915. AGED 29. HUSBAND OF ANNIE SHARP, OF 62, LOW LEIGHTON ROAD, NEW MILLS. DURING HIS EMPLOYMENT AS A BRICK LAYER GEORGE HAD WORKED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF MANY WELL KNOWN LOCAL BUILDINGS. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE ) MEMORIAL. BELGIUM.

ALFRED SHAW, LANCE SERJEANT, 18719. 21^ST BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 4^TH OCTOBER 1918. AGED 27. SON OF MR J. W. AND MARY SHAW, OF 30 HIGH STREET, NEW MILLS. ALFRED WAS EMPLOYED AS A CLERK AT J. SUMNER- POLLITT, SOLICITOR. ATTENDED THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR. ALFRED WAS WELL KNOWN IN THE TOWN BECAUSE HIS FATHER RAN A NEWSAGENTS BUSINESS FROM THEIR ADDRESS. ALFRED ENLISTED IN NOVEMBER 1915. HE WAS BADLY WOUNDED IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE OF JULY 1916 AND INVALIDED HOME. HE RETURNED TO FRANCE EASTER 1918. BURIED BUSIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION -NORD.

SAMUEL SHIRT, PRIVATE, 89289. 51^ST COY. MACHINE GUN CORPS (INF.). KILLED 12^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 21. SON OF MRS HANNAH SHIRT, OF 9, WOOD STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT NEW MILLS CO-OPERATIVE STORES. ATTENDED NEWTOWN WESLEYAN CHURCH. SAMUEL HAD BEEN WOUNDED BY SHRAPNEL JUNE 1916. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL. BELGIUM.

WILLIAM SIDEBOTTOM, PRIVATE, 202564. 10^TH/ 11^TH BATTALION HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED 9^TH APRIL 1918. AGED 19. NEPHEW OF MRS ELIZABETH SHAW, OF 26, BROOKSIDE, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. AN ORPHAN LAD, WILLIAM HAD BEEN IN FRANCE ONLY A SHORT TIME WHEN REPORTED MISSING. THIS WAS HIS SECOND TIME IN FRANCE. THE FIRST TIME HE HAD BEEN SENT BACK BECAUSE HE WAS UNDER ACTIVE SERVICE AGE. COMMEMORATED PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL- COMINES- WARNETON, HAINAUT. BELGIUM.

JOHN FREDERICK SIMISTER, LANCE CORPORAL, 10^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED FRIDAY 12^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 23. SON OF THE LATE ROBERT MILNER SIMISTER. JOHN LIVED AT THORNSETT WITH A SISTER. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ATTENDED THORNSETT INDEPENDENT CHAPEL WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR. JOHN HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS WHEN HE WAS KILLED BY A SHELL BURST. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL, ZONNEBEKE, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM. THE TYNE COT MEMORIAL TO THE MISSING FORMS THE NORTH EAST BOUNDARY OF TYNE COT CEMETERY.

ROBERT SIMISTER, SAPPER, ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED APRIL 1918. AGE 32. SON OF THE LATE ROBERT MILNER SIMISTER OF BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AS AN ARCHITECT BY THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY IN ITS MANCHESTER OFFICES. ROBERT DESIGNED THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES BAKERY AT NEWTOWN. ATTENDED THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR. ROBERT MARRIED MISS WAYNE WHOSE FATHER WAS MANAGER OF BIRCH VALE COLLIERIES. ROBERT HAD BEEN SERVING IN FRANCE FOR A LONG PERIOD. THE FATAL SHOT CAME AS HE WAS LEAVING THE TRENCHES.

HERBERT SMITH, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED 9^TH OCTOBER 1916. AGED 31. SON OF WILLIAM SMITH OF BIRCH VALE. HERBERT HAD BEEN SERVING A SEVEN YEAR APPRENTICESHIP AS A MACHINE PRINTER AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. MEMBER OF HIGH PEAK ORPHEUS GLEE SOCIETY. HERBERT WAS A POPULAR MUSICIAN WHO COULD PLAY THE ORGAN WITH CONSIDERABLE SKILL. HE WAS CHOIR MASTER OF ST. LUKES CHURCH. ENLISTED IN MAY 1915 AND ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN MARCH 1916.

          Hy SMITH, PRIVATE, 140206. 3^RD BATTALION, MACHINE GUN CORPS. DIED 21^ST MAY 1918. COMMEMORATED SANDPITS BRITISH CEMETERY, FOUQUEREUIL, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

          JOSEPH SMITH, PRIVATE, 2^ND BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED IN ACTION 21^ST MARCH 1918. LIVED WITH AN AUNT AND UNCLE , JAMES RIGG OF SPRING BANK. MARRIED MISS GRAHAME OF FURNESS VALE. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. JOSEPH PLAYED THE TENOR HORN IN NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND AND WAS CHOSEN TO PLAY WITH THE REGIMENTAL BAND. JOSEPH WAS ALSO A WELL KNOWN FOOTBALLER WHO PLAYED WITH THORNSETT JUNIORS. HE VOLUNTEERED IN 1914. WOUNDED AND INVALIDED HOME THREE TIMES. HE HAD GONE OVERSEAS FOR A FOURTH TIME WHEN HE WAS KILLED.

WALTER SMITH, PRIVATE, 4143. 2^ND/7^TH BATTALION NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. MISSING PRESUMED KILLED AT THIEPVAL SUNDAY 3^RD SEPTEMBER 1916. AGED 20. SON OF THOMAS AND ANN SMITH OF 27, SITCH LANE, THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS AS A BLOCK PRINTER. WALTER WAS NOTED AS HAVING A KEEN WIT AND SENSE OF HUMOUR WHICH MADE HIM VERY POPULAR. HE FELL AT THE SAME TIME AS ISAAC RAMWELL A WELL KNOWN BIRCH VALE SOLDIER. COMMEMORATED MILLROAD CEMETERY, THIEPVAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

WILFRED. S. SMITH, PRIVATE, 2^ND/7^TH BATTALION, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT) KILLED THURSDAY, 6^TH DECEMBER 1917. COMMEMORATED CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL, NORD, FRANCE. THE MEMORIAL TAKES THE FORM OF A SEMI- CIRCULAR WALL ON WHICH THE NAMES OF THE DEAD ARE CARVED. AT THE ENTRANCE THE FOLLOWING IS CARVED IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH; "TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND TO THE ENDURING MEMORY OF 7048 OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE FORCES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO FELL AT THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI BETWEEN THE 20^TH NOVEMBER AND THE 3^RD DECEMBER 1917, WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED, BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNES OF WAR DENIED THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH."

GILBERT STAFFORD, PRIVATE, NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 14^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGE 30. SON OF THE LATE JOHN STAFFORD OF LOW LEIGHTON. LIVED WITH HIS WIDOWED MOTHER. EMPLOYED AT ST GEORGE'S WORKS. GILBERT PLAYED CRICKET FOR BIRCH VALE CRICKET CLUB. ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARISH CHURCH AND THE FORESTERS COURT. GILBERT DIED IN MESOPOTAMIA WHILST SERVING WITH THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.

JOHN STAFFORD, PRIVATE, 17610. 11^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS ( NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED 12^TH FEBUARY 1916. AGED 23. SON OF JANE STAFFORD AND THE LATE JOSEPH STAFFORD, OF 22, CHAPEL STREET, NEWTOWN, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT MESSRS WRIGHT AND HOWARD BLEACHWORKS. JOHN WAS STRUCK BY FRAGMENTS OF A SHELL AND DIED WHILST BEING CONVEYED TO HOSPITAL. BURIED SAILLY-SUR-LA-LYS-CANADIAN CEMETERY- PAS DE CALAIS.

JOSEPH STAFFORD, PRIVATE, 65300, 'A' COMPANY 2^ND/4^TH BATTALION KINGS OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED IN ACTION, 8^TH NOVEMBER 1918. AGED 19. SON OF MR AND MRS JOHN STAFFORD, OF TANPITS FARM, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED IN THE MECHANICS SHOP AT GARRISON BLEACHWORKS. JOSEPH WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOSEPH AND WILLIAM PATERSON WERE FRIENDS THEY ENLISTED AND TRAINED TOGETHER. BURIED MAUBEUGE (SOUS-LE-BOIS ) CEMETERY- NORD.

*NOTE, ONLY ONE J. STAFFORD IS RECORDED ON THE PARISH MEMORIAL

JOHN STANTON, RIFLEMAN, 204134. 21^ST BATTALION RIFLE BRIGADE. KILLED 2^ND OF APRIL 1918. HUSBAND OF MARY STANTON, OF 49, BANK SIDE, NEW MILLS. ENLISTED IN 1914 WITH THE INITIAL GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS. BURIED ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY. EGYPT.

JAMES W. SWIFT,SAPPER, 102862. 172^ND TUNNELING COMPANY. ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED IN ACTION 16^TH JULY 1918. AGE 27. SON OF THOMAS AND MARY SWIFT OF NEW MILLS. JAMES WAS BY TRADE A COLLIER. HE WAS ONE OF FOUR BROTHERS IN THE ARMY. JAMES HAD ONLY BEEN IN FRANCE FOUR WEEKS WHEN HE FELL. BURIED ADELAIDE CEMETERY, VILLERS- BRETONNEUX-SOMME, FRANCE.

SETH SWIFT,PRIVATE, YORK AND LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. DIED 17^TH NOVEMBER 1916, OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION. SETH WAS LIKE HIS BROTHER JAMES BY TRADE A COLLIER. LEFT A WIDOWED MOTHER, A WIDOW AND A YOUNG CHILD.

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                   NEW MILLS MANS BRAVERY.

From the High Peak Reporter, April 1917. Still another New Mills soldier has won the Military Medal, Corporal Claude Hancock, of the Territorials. The official report of the deed which won him the coveted decoration says:- " For conspicuous gallantry and initiative on the night 8th-9^th, March, 1917, near Esearts. During an attack on an enemy strong post this N.C.O. was in charge of the leading bombers. The squad was held up by enemy wire and heavy hostile rifle fire and bombs, half the squad rapidly became casualties. The two bombers in front of Lance-Corporal Hancock were both stunned by German fire, each of them having a live Mills bomb in his hand ready for throwing, with pins drawn out. Lance-Corporal Hancock, with great coolness and presence of mind, took the bombs of the men before their grip on the levers had relaxed, and handed them to Private James thus undoubtedly saving many of his comrades from becoming casualties. He then collected men from the next section and reorganized his squad. He at once continued to attack, and by skilful handling of his men drove the enemy out and gained his objective. The name of this N.C.O. has been previously brought to notice for conspicuous gallantry on the nights of 20^th and 27^th June, 1916, at Fronquevillers, where he went out under heavy fire and brought in two very badly wounded men. Lance-Corporal Hancock came out to France with his Battalion in Febuary, 1915, and has invariably shown the utmost bravery and coolness in action."

The son of Private and Mrs Hancock, of High Street. Corporal Hancock was in the Territorials when the war broke out and has been serving ever since. He is only 21years of age, and has had three birthdays in the trenches. Prior to the war he was employed by Mr J.W. Swindells, builder, New Mills. His father is a Private serving with the Sherwood Foresters in France, and his brother Frank is with the Leicesters in India. The official account shows what a brave and gallant soldier he has been throughout he war, and New Mills people will join us in extending to him the heartiest congratulations on his well won decoration. He has been promoted to a Corporal since he was awarded the medal.

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ALBERT SWINDELLS, PRIVATE, 2^ND/4^TH BATTALION ROYAL SCOTS. KILLED 26^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 20. ALBERT LIVED ON EAVES KNOLL ROAD. HE WAS EMPLOYED BY MESSRS ALSOP AND CLAYTON AS A PAINTER. ALBERT ACTED AS A TEACHER AT THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. HE HAD ONLY BEEN IN FRANCE SINCE JUNE.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, PRIVATE, 269893. 1^ST/ 7^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED 13^TH MARCH 1917. AGED 23. SON OF MRS THOMPSON OF WIRKSMOOR ROAD. THE THOMPSONS WERE A DISLEY FAMILY WHO HAD LIVED IN NEW MILLS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WILLIAM PRIOR TO JOINING UP WAS EMPLOYED AT PEAK DALE. HE WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL WHO HAD PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR SEVERAL LOCAL CLUBS. WILLIAM ENLISTED IN JULY 1916 AND HAD BEEN SERVING IN FRANCE FOR FOUR MONTHS. IN A LETTER WRITTEN HOME FOUR DAYS BEFORE HE DIED WILLIAM STATED THAT HE WAS IN GOOD HEALTH AND SPIRITS. COMMEMORATED GOMMECOURT BRITISH CEMETERY No2, HEBUTERNE, PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE.

WILLIAM THOMPSON, PRIVATE, 34595. 13^TH BATTALION CHESHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS 4^TH NOVEMBER 1916. AGED 23. SON OF ANNIE L. THOMPSON, OF 8, STAFFORD STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. WILLIAM WAS REJECTED FOR SERVICE THREE TIMES DUE TO DEFECTIVE HEARING. BEFORE EVENTUALLY BEING ACCEPTED BY THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT. BURIED ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN-SEINE-MARITIME.

EDMUND THORNLEY, PRIVATE, 24793. 3^RD BATTALION KINGS OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. DIED OF PNEUMONIA 3^RD OCTOBER 1916. AGED 25. SON OF FREDERICK AND MARTHA ANN THORNLEY, OF 47, UNION ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS A PRINTER AND STATIONER. BURIED NEW MILLS (ST. GEORGE'S ROAD) METHODIST CHURCHYARD.

ERNEST THORPE, PRIVATE, 35^TH FIELD AMBULANCE. ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORP. DIED 20^TH OCTOBER 1920. AGED 38. SON OF MR AND MRS THORPE OF No9, HAGUE BAR ROAD. MARRIED MISS ALICE RICHARDSON. WOUNDED AND GASSED. ONE OF FOUR BROTHERS WHO SERVED IN THE ARMY. BURIED ST GEORGE'S ROAD CHURCHYARD, NEW MILLS.

WALTER THORPE, PRIVATE, KINGS ROYAL RIFLES (LIVERPOOL REGIMENT). KILLED JULY 1916.AGED 30. SON OF MR AND MRS THORPE OF No9 HAGUE BAR ROAD. EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. WALTER HAD BEEN WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE IN MARCH 1915. BROTHER OF ERNEST.

        WALTER TURNER, PRIVATE, 49956.KINGS OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. DIED OF WOUNDS 5^TH APRIL 1918. AGED 19. SON OF HENRY TURNER OF BUXTON ROAD, NEW MILLS. WALTER WAS EMPLOYED AS A CLERK IN THE OFFICES OF BRUNSWICK MILL COMPANY. ATTENDED THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. ARRIVED IN FRANCE CHRISTMAS 1917. DIED IN NoX1 STATIONARY HOSPITAL, ROUEN OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION. BURIED ST SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN.

JAMES WALKER, PRIVATE, 2^ND LIFE GUARDS. REPORTED MISSING THEN KILLED 19^TH OCTOBER 1914. AGED 36. JAMES HAD FORMERLY FOUGHT WITH THE 8^TH HUSSARS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR WHERE HE HAD WON SEVERAL MEDALS. EMPLOYED AS A MOTOR CARMAN FOR NEW MILLS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. JAMES LEFT A WIDOW. HE HAD BEEN AT THE FRONT FOR JUST TEN DAYS.

WILFRED WALKER . PRIVATE, 20347. 9^TH BATTALION LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS. DIED OF WOUNDS 7^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 26. SON OF THOMAS AND ELIZABETH ALICE WALKER, OF 29, MIDLAND TERRACE, NEW MILLS. WILFRED WAS A TEACHER AT THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS ALSO THE SECRETARY. JOINED UP IN JUNE 1916, AND ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN JANUARY 1917. HE WAS WOUNDED AND HAD ONLY BEEN BACK IN FRANCE FOR A MONTH WHEN HE WAS FATALLY WOUNDED. BURIED LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, POPERINGE. BELGIUM.

JOSEPH KIERNAN WARING, CORPORAL, ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. DIED JUNE 1916. AGED 24. SON OF MR AND MRS WILLIAM WARING, OF LOW LEIGHTON. JOSEPH WAS STUDYING WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY AT CARDIFF COLLEGE WHEN WAR BROKE OUT. MENTIONED IN DISPATCHES. JOSEPH WAS SHOT WHILST HE AND HIS UNIT WERE MOVING THEIR GUN UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS.

CLIFFORD WATERHOUSE, PRIVATE, 2^ND BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). CLIFFORD'S DEATH WAS PRESUMED BETWEEN MARCH 26^TH AND APRIL 15^TH 1918. AGED 21. LIVED ON SPRINGBANK WITH HIS MOTHER. CLIFFORD WAS AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL POSTHUMOUSLY, FOR GALLANTRY ON THE FIELD BETWEEN THE 31^ST JULY AND AUGUST 2^ND 1917. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. SCHOLAR OF ST JAMES SUNDAY SCHOOL. CLIFFORD HAD BEEN IN FRANCE THREE TIMES, HE WAS WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF ARRAS IN JULY 1916 AND REPATRIATED TO ENGLAND. FOLLOWING HIS RECOVERY HE RETURNED TO FRANCE IN MAY 1917.

CHARLES WATERHOUSE, PRIVATE, 241674. 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION; SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. REPORTED MISSING PRESUMED KILLED ON THURSDAY, 21^ST MARCH 1918. AGED 27. SON OF MR CHARLES WATERHOUSE OF BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. ASSOCIATED WITH ST LUKES CHURCH. CHARLES SERVED IN IRELAND DURING THE REBELLION WHERE HE WAS WOUNDED DURING STREET FIGHTING IN DUBLIN. CHARLES SERVED FOR OVER A YEAR IN FRANCE. HE WAS TWICE WOUNDED, ONCE, HE WAS BURIED BY A SHELL AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION WOUNDED IN THE FACE. CHARLES HAD BEEN AT HOME ON LEAVE JUST FOUR WEEKS BEFORE HE WAS REPORTED MISSING. COMMEMORATED ARRAS MEMORIAL, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

FRED WATERHOUSE, PRIVATE, 32148. 12^TH BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED ON THE SOMME 7^TH JULY 1916. SON OF JOSEPH WATERHOUSE OF 15, THE CRESCENT, BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT HUDDERSFIELD.

FRANK WESTALL , RIFLEMAN, R/39072. 9^TH BATTALION KINGS ROYAL RIFLES. POSTED MISSING UNTIL JUNE 1919, OFFICIALLY PRESUMED KILLED WEDNESDAY 27^TH MARCH 1918. AGED 20. SON OF MR F. L. WESTALL. MARRIED MISS CLARICE HEATHCOTE. FRANK WAS EMPLOYED AS A MOTOR DRIVER AT STOCKPORT WHEN HE ENLISTED. PRIOR TO THAT HE HAD WORKED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. A POPULAR FOOTBALLER WHO PLAYED FOR NEW MILLS. COMMEMORATED POZIERES MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

FRED WHARMBY, PRIVATE, 17206. 12^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS ( NOTTS & DERBY REGT ). KILLED IN ACTION 5^TH AUGUST 1916. AGE 20. SON OF SARAH WHARMBY AND THE LATE JOSEPH WHARMBY, OF 4 FOUNDRY STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT BEARD MILL. FRED HAD BEEN AT THE FRONT FOR ELEVEN MONTHS WITHOUT A FURLOUGH. BURIED DANTZIG ALLEY BRITISH CEMETERY, MAMETZ- SOMME.

JAMES WHARMBY, PRIVATE, 18037. 15^TH BATTALION ROYAL SCOTS. KILLED 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 28. SON OF COUNCILOR JOHN THOMAS AND BETTY WHARMBY, OF LONGLANDS ROAD, NEW MILLS. JAMES KNOWN AS JAS, WAS CONNECTED WITH THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND EMPLOYED BY THE BRUNSWICK MILL COMPANY. JAMES (JAS) JOINED UP ON THE 2^ND OF OCTOBER 1914, ARRIVED AT THE FRONT DECEMBER 1915. JAMES WAS KILLED ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SOMME OFFENSIVE. COMMEMORATED AT THIEPVAL MEMORIAL-SOMME.

JAMES WHARTON, GUNNER, 139767, ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY TRANSFERRED TO 49063, LABOUR CORPS. DIED SATURDAY, 8^TH MAY 1920. AGED 35. SON OF WILLIAM HENRY WHARTON OF JODRELL STREET, NEWTOWN. EMPLOYED IN THE HOTEL TRADE. JAMES SERVED IN FRANCE FOR 37 MONTHS. HE WAS GASSED TWICE WHICH HIS FRIENDS BELIEVED LED TO HIS HOSPITALIZATION FOR THREE MONTHS AND EVENTUAL DEATH FROM A HEART ATTACK. COMMEMORATED ST. GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD, NEW MILLS.

ARTHUR WHITEFORD, PRIVATE, NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. DIED OF WOUNDS OCTOBER 1916. AGED 25. ARTHUR WAS EMPLOYED AT GLOBE IRON WORKS. PLAYED CRICKET FOR NEW MILLS.

ARTHUR WILD, PRIVATE, 2^ND/ 5^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED THURSDAY, 21^ST MARCH 1918. LIVED AT 21, EAVES KNOLL ROAD, MARRIED WITH CHILDREN."COMMEMORATED ARRAS MEMORIAL, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

''IN YOUR HOME YOU ARE FONDLY REMEMBERED, SWEET MEMORIES CLING ROUND YOUR NAME.

TRUE HEARTS WHO HOLD YOU IN DEEPEST AFFECTION, ALWAYS WILL LOVE YOU IN DEATH JUST THE SAME."

EVERETT WILD, PRIVATE, ROYAL SCOTS REGIMENT. KILLED 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 25. SON OF J. T. WILD OF ALBION ROAD. SELF EMPLOYED AS A PRINTER AND STATIONER IN MANCHESTER. EVERETT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NEWTOWN WESLEYAN CHURCH. HE LEFT A WIDOW AND CHILD. EVERETT ENLISTED IN 1914. LIEUTENANT ROBSON WROTE TO THE FAMILY "WHILST DEEPLY MOURNING HIS LOSS I MUST ADD THAT HE WAS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE BRAVEST OF THE SPLENDID BODY WHOM IT WAS MY FORTUNE TO LEAD INTO ACTION. HE WAS BURIED BY HIS COMRADES AMONGST THOSE WITH WHOM HE FOUGHT AND DIED."

FRED WILD, ABLE SEAMAN, BRISTOL Z/4739. HAWKE BATTALION R.N. DIV; ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE. MISSING REPORTED KILLED WEDNESDAY 27^TH MARCH 1918 WHILST SERVING ON THE WESTERN FRONT WITH HAWKE BATTALION OF THE ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION. THE ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION WAS A DIVISION OF NAVAL OFFICERS AND RATINGS FIGHTING ON LAND ALONGSIDE ARMY BATTALIONS. ABLE SEAMAN WILD DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN BURIED IN A MILITARY CEMETERY, BUT HE IS COMMEMORATED ON THE ARRAS MEMORIAL, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE. THE MEMORIAL COMMEMORATES ALMOST 35,000 CASUALTIES OF THE BRITISH, NEW ZEALAND AND SOUTH AFRICAN FORCES WHO DIED BETWEEN SPRING 1916 AND 7^TH AUGUST 1918, EXCLUDING THE BATTLE OF CAMBRIA IN 1917, AND THOSE WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE.

FRED WILD, PRIVATE, 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT).DIED FRIDAY 6^TH DECEMBER 1918. AGED 32. SON OF JOHN WILD OF MEAL STREET. MARRIED WITH FOUR CHILDREN. EMPLOYED AS A PLATE CUTTER AT THE LOCAL ENGRAVING WORKS. CONNECTED WITH THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL. FRED WAS WELL KNOWN TENOR HORN PLAYER IN NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND. HE JOINED UP IN NOVEMBER 1914 WHEN THE WHOLE OF THE BAND ENLISTED. FRED HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR LESS THAN A YEAR WHEN HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER. AT THE TIME HE WAS SUFFERING FROM SHELL SHOCK. FRED WAS SERIOUSLY ILL WHEN HE WAS LIBERATED. HE DIED IN A FRENCH AMBULANCE AT METZ AND IS BURIED IN CHAMBIERES FRENCH NATIONAL CEMETERY, METZ, MOSELLE, FRANCE.

JOSEPH WILD, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS, (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). DIED 3^RD NOVEMBER 1918. AGED 35. SON OF JOHN WILD OF MEAL STREET WHO LOST TWO OF HIS THREE SONS. EMPLOYED BEFORE THE WAR BY A. I. REDFERN BUILDERS. JOSEPH WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY DUE TO SHELL SHOCK. HE BECAME AN OFFICIAL OF THE LOCAL BRANCH OF THE DISCHARGED SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ASSOCIATION. DIED OF PNEUMONIA. BURIED ST GEORGE'S PARISH CHURCHYARD.

IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT FOR EVERY MAN WHOSE NAME APPEARS ON THE MEMORIAL THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER WHOSE LIFE WAS FOREVER ALTERED OR CUT SHORT BY THE EXPERIENCE OF WAR. NO RECORDS WERE KEPT OF THE LOCAL MEN WHO WERE MAIMED OR BLINDED OR WHO COULD NOT RETURN TO WORK BECAUSE OF THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EFFECTS OF WAR. NOR WAS THERE ANYTHING RECORDED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE MEN WHO RETURNED FROM PRISONER CAMPS OF THE GERMANS AND IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR OF THE JAPANESE.

WILLIAM WILD, LANCE CORPORAL, 108965. 1^ST BATTALION; SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). DIED 27^TH MAY 1918. COMMEMORATED SOISSONS MEMORIAL, AISNE, FRANCE

WILLIAM WILD, PRIVATE, 204576. 11^TH BATTALION; SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). DIED WEDNESDAY 23^RD OCTOBER 1918. AGED 25. SON OF ABEL WILD OF NEWTOWN. EMPLOYED AS A BARGEMAN ON THE CANAL. ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARISH CHURCH. WILLIAM WAS ENGAGED TO MISS STAFFORD OF CHAPEL STREET. JOINED UP IN JUNE 1917 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN THE OCTOBER. HE WAS A LEWIS GUNNER. SERGEANT POCKLEY WROTE TO THE FAMILY "THE COMPANY WERE PASSING THROUGH A VILLAGE ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE FRONT LINE WHEN A SHELL DROPPED NEAR WHERE HE WAS". COMMEMORATED HIGHLAND CEMETERY, LE CATEAU, NORD, FRANCE.

GEORGE WILSON, PRIVATE, 16709. 12^TH BATTALION, SHERWOOD FORESTERS ( NOTTS & DERBY REGT.). DIED ON MONDAY, 25^TH JUNE 1917. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, LEPER, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

GEORGE FREDERICK WILSON, LANCE CORPORAL, 49537. 1^ST BATTALION ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS. DIED OF WOUNDS 3^RD JUNE 1918. AGED 29. SON OF WILLIAM UFFENDALE AND MARGARET WILSON OF SALFORD, HUSBAND OF MARY JANE WILSON OF 29, EAVES KNOLL ROAD, NEW MILLS. BURIED ESQUELBECQ MILITARY CEMETERY -NORD.

JOSEPH WILSON, PRIVATE, G/19470. 7^TH BATTALION QUEENS OWN (ROYAL WEST KENT REGIMENT). KILLED 12^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 30. SON OF JOHN WILSON OF CHAPEL STREET, NEW MILLS. HUSBAND OF SOPHIA WILSON OF 5, NEW STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS A JOINER AT WATFORD PRINTWORKS. MEMBER OF THE TRADES HALL SOCIAL CLUB AND WATFORD BRIDGE BOWLING CLUB. ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN MAY 1917. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL. BELGIUM.

JOHN WILLIAMSON, PRIVATE, 17022. OBSERVERS 33^RD INFANTRY BRIGADE. KILLED 11^TH OCTOBER 1918. SON OF MR REUBEN WILLIAMSON OF CLOUGH VIEW, BIRCH VALE. JOHN WAS A SCHOLAR OF ST LUKES SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED IN HIS FATHERS QUARRY. JOHN TOOK PART IN THE FAMOUS FIRST LANDING AT GALLIPOLI. THEN SERVED IN EGYPT FOR THREE MONTHS BEFORE ARRIVING IN FRANCE IN JULY 1916. JOHN WAS ENGAGED IN THE DANGEROUS WORK OF AN OBSERVER. HIS COMMANDING OFFICER WROTE "I MUCH REGRET HIS LOSS. HE WAS KILLED BY A CHANCE SHELL AND DIED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY."

SAMUEL WOOD, PRIVATE, 204571. 'C' COY. 1^ST BATTALION ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS KILLED 26^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 40. SON OF SAMUEL AND ELIZA WOOD; HUSBAND OF ALICE ANN WOOD OF 78, BUXTON ROAD, NEW MILLS. SAMUEL WAS WELL KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT AS DRIVER FOR MESSRS SAVILLE FURNITURE REMOVERS. HE ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN MAY 1917. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL. BELGIUM.

WALTER WOOD, PRIVATE, 17535. 1^ST/4^TH BATTALION LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 3^RD OCTOBER 1918. AGED 19. SON OF MRS SARAH ELIZABETH WOOD, OF 17 BUXTON ROAD, NEWTOWN, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AS A COLLIER AT FURNESS VALE BRICKWORKS. WALTER WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NEW MILLS PARISH CHURCH. JOINED UP AT AGE 16. WALTER WENT OUT TO THE PERSIAN GULF WHERE HE WAS WOUNDED IN THE LEG AND ARM. RECOVERED AND TRAVELLED TO FRANCE IN JANUARY 1918 WHERE HE WAS KILLED BY A SHELL. COMMEMORATED VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL, FRANCE.

JAMES STANLEY WOOLLEY, PRIVATE, 44059.16^TH BATTALION CHESHIRE REGIMENT REPORTED MISSING, PRESUMED KILLED ON THE 22^ND OCTOBER 1917. SON OF THE LATE CHARLES AND ELIZABETH WOOLLEY. JAMES HAD BEEN SERVING IN FRANCE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHEN HE WAS REPORTED MISSING. HE WAS WELL KNOWN LOCALLY AS A CRICKETER WHO HAD FOR MANY YEARS DONE FINE SERVICE AS A BOWLER WITH HAYFIELD CRICKET CLUB. COMMEMORATED ON THE TYNE COT MEMORIAL, BELGIUM. THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTION IS CARVED ON THE MEMORIAL "1914- HERE ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE ARMIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO FELL IN YPRES SALIENT, BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNES OF WAR DENIED THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH- 1918". HIS WIFE LILY AND CHILD, ALICE, HAD THE FOLLOWING PRINTED IN THE LOCAL PAPER:-

"COULD WE BUT KNOW WHERE HE LAY OUR GRIEF WOULD BE MUCH LIGHTER,

AND IN OUR HOUSE DAY BY DAY OUR LIVES WE'D FIND MUCH BRIGHTER."

CHARLES WOODWARD, PRIVATE 16301,15^TH MACHINE GUN CORP. CHESHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED FRIDAY 28^TH JULY 1916. AGED 22. SON OF CHARLES WOODWARD OF WOOD STREET. EMPLOYED AT HAWTHORNS FOUNDRY. CHARLES ENLISTED IN AUGUST 1914 AND FOUGHT IN THE FAMOUS BATTLE OF HILL 60 AND IN MANY MINOR ENGAGEMENTS. COMMEMORATED ON THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

TORR TOP

It might seem unlikely today, that Torr Top should have played any part in the history of the Great War. Now largely vanished to make way for a car park, once it was the heart of New Mills. Its men won great fame and honour on the Western Front as witnessed by this short piece from the High Peak Reporter of 1919:- "Bravo, Torr Top ! That part of New Mills is famed for ever by giving its name to one of the hottest parts of the battle line in France. In Torr Top street there is a winner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and a winner of the Military Medal, whilst in the little street below the Torr Top mission there is another winner of the Distinguished Conduct Medal and another winner of the Military Medal. All honour to Torr Top! Where is there another place so small in area which has so distinguished itself in the war? Torr Top should be enshrined in the hearts of New Mills people! Torr Top, above all other places, should be made fit for heroes to live in !"

Corporal John Cooper, the son of Mr and Mrs Cooper of Torr Top street, had been employed at the Garrison Bleachworks prior to joining the Sherwood Foresters when the war began. John served in France throughout the war. He was once Gassed and once slightly wounded. John was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, "for Distinguished Conduct in the field." But he also had another claim to fame for it was he who gave the name Torr Top to a trench in the Ypres area. The name was printed on a notice board and appeared on the military map. The notice board was secured by Brigadier-General Goodman, and presented by him to the New Mills Council as a relic of the war. The board was described as a common piece of wood, apparently an old box lid, battered about by the passage of war and splattered still by the mud of Flanders. The lettering on the board reads:-

This relic of the Great war seemed like so many others to have been lost. Probably not recognized after a passage of time, for what it was, and for what it represented. Happily, however it has survived.

At least one other relic of the Great War does remain. Following the Armistice, every city, town and village was invited to apply for one of the limited number of war trophies. These ranged from German vehicles to steel helmets, but for the most part they were weapons captured on the Western Front. New Mills Urban District Council successfully applied for a Machine Gun, which complete with ammunition box and ammo belt, arrived in May 1919. These were displayed at the Town Hall. Research has revealed the ammunition box still complete with belt. Hayfield council applied for a trench mortar.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

JOHN HENRY WOODWARD, PRIVATE, OXFORD AND BUCKS LIGHT INFANTRY. KILLED 1^ST OCTOBER 1918. AGED 20. SON OF WILLIAM WOODWARD (GREENGROCER) OF BUXTON ROAD, NEWTOWN. EMPLOYED AT FURNESS VALE PRINTWORKS. A SCHOLAR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOHN HAD ONLY BEEN BACK IN FRANCE A FEW DAYS, FOLLOWING A LEAVE AT HOME IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. BROTHER OF GEORGE WILLIAM. WRONGLY INITIALED ON THE MEMORIAL.

GEORGE WILLIAM WOODWARD, PRIVATE, 42971.1^ST BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED THURSDAY, 26^TH OCTOBER 1916. AGED 26. SON OF WILLIAM WOODWARD OF BUXTON ROAD. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD PRINTWORKS. GEORGE AND HIS FAMILY ATTENDED THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOINED UP IN APRIL 1915 AND WENT TO THE FRONT IN AUGUST. GEORGE WHO LIVED ON HAGUE BAR ROAD LEFT A WIDOW AND THREE CHILDREN. THE YOUNGEST WAS JUST SEVEN WEEKS OLD. COMMEMORATED ON THE THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, FRANCE.

PETER WORTHINGTON, DRIVER, ROYAL ENGINEERS. DIED 11^TH AUGUST 1916. AGED 19. SON OF PETER WORTHINGTON OF LANESIDE FARM, LOW LEIGHTON. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. PETER DIED OF DISEASE IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

ALLAN WRIGHT, CORPORAL, NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS. DIED MAY 1919. AGED 28. SON OF MR AND MRS DENNIS WRIGHT OF CLIFF LODGE, SPRING BANK. ALLAN WAS DEMOBILIZED FROM THE ARMY IN FEBUARY 1918 DUE TO ILLNESS. DESPITE EVERY BEST EFFORT HE WAS NEVER ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK AND SUCCUMBED TO VALVULAR DISEASE OF THE HEART. ALLAN JOINED THE ARMY IN 1914, AND AFTER COMPLETING HIS TRAINING ARRIVED IN FRANCE. HE WAS WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF LOOS, WHERE HE LOST A FINGER. IN THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME, 1917, HE WAS WOUNDED IN THE ARM. ONCE AGAIN HE RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE WESTERN FRONT. HE WAS AMONGST THOSE SENT TO ITALY AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL HE WAS DEMOBILIZED. ALLAN WAS VERY FOND OF MUSIC AND WAS A MEMBER OF NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND BEFORE ENLISTING. WHILST IN FRANCE HE JOINED AN ARMY BAND AND DURING HIS SERVICE IN ITALY HE WAS APPOINTED BANDMASTER OF THE BATTALION BAND. ALLAN HAD A GIFT FOR COMPOSITION, AND WHILST IN ITALY HE COMPOSED A HYMN TUNE WHICH HE NAMED 'CLIFF LODGE' AFTER HIS HOME. ALLAN WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR AND AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY AT ST MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. BEFORE THE WAR HE HAD BEEN EMPLOYED IN THE FINISHING ROOM AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. THE FUNERAL OF ALLAN WRIGHT TOOK PLACE ON SUNDAY 25^TH MAY 1919, WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS AT ST MARY'S CHURCH. THE IMPRESSIVE SCENES MOVED ALL NEW MILLS. THE OLD PRIZE BAND PARADED IN HONOUR OF THEIR DEAD COMRADE, AND AS THE CORTEGE PASSED THROUGH THE STREETS THEY PLAYED THE SOLEMN "DEAD MARCH" FROM "SAUL". OVER TWO HUNDRED DEMOBILIZED AND DISCHARGED SOLDIERS AND MANY OLD WORKMATES AND FRIENDS MARCHED FROM THE HOUSE TO THE BURIAL GROUND. THE COFFIN WAS DRAPED WITH THE UNION JACK AND COVERED WITH FLOWERS. AT ST MARY'S CHURCH THERE WAS A CROWDED CONGREGATION AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE UNABLE TO ENTER THE EDIFICE. A CROWD REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN IN THOUSANDS WITNESSED THE LAST RITES PERFORMED AT THE GRAVESIDE BY FATHER McKENNA. AFTER THE SOUNDING OF THE LAST POST BY FIVE BUGLERS, THE BAND LED BY MR JOHNNIE BEARD PLAYED OVER THE GRAVE THE HYMN TUNE "CLIFF LODGE" WHICH ALLAN HAD HIMSELF COMPOSED.

EDWIN ARNFIELD WRIGHT, PRIVATE, GS/4281. 21^ST BATTALION , ROYAL FUSILIERS. KILLED 1^ST MARCH 1915. AGED 21. SON OF JOHN WRIGHT, CHEMIST OF MACCLESFIELD. GRANDSON OF MRS EDWIN ARNFIELD OF SPRINGFIELD, NEW MILLS. ENLISTED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BATTALION OF THE ROYAL FUSILIERS AND WAS TRAINING IN ASHFIELD, NEAR EPSOM. WHILST THERE HE CONTRACTED SPINAL MENINGITIS. HE WAS REMOVED TO THE SOUTH WESTERN MILITARY HOSPITAL, LONDON. WHERE HE DIED. EDWIN HAD BEEN DEVOTING HIMSELF TO THE STUDY OF AGRICULTURE. HE HAD SPENT MOST OF HIS LIFE IN NEW MILLS AND WAS CONNECTED TO THE PARISH CHURCH WHERE HIS GRANDFATHER HAD BEEN A CHURCH WARDEN FOR MANY YEARS. BURIED ST GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD.

WILLIAM WRIGHT, PRIVATE, MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED JULY 1916. AGED 24. SON OF MR AND MRS FRED WRIGHT OF TORR TOP STREET. CONNECTED TO THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. WILLIE WAS EMPLOYED BY MR T. WHITTAKER, BUTCHER. NEPHEW OF SERGEANT MAJOR EDWARD PARSONS OF THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS.

WILLIAM WOODWARD, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). AGE 26. SON OF WILLIAM WOODWARD (GREEN GROCER OF BUXTON ROAD). ENLISTED IN APRIL 1916 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN THE AUGUST. CONNECTED WITH THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. WILLIAM LEFT A WIDOW AND THREE CHILDREN, THE YOUNGEST CHILD WAS JUST SEVEN WEEKS OLD. ORIGINALLY OMITTED FROM THE CENOTAPH. WILLIAMS NAME WAS ADDED IN 1951 WHEN THE SECOND WORLD WAR MEMORIAL PANELS WERE COMPLETED.

T. BENNETT ,PRIVATE, LABOUR BATTALION, ROYAL FLYING CORP. DIED APRIL 1918. LIVED ON BRIDGE STREET. HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILST SERVING IN FRANCE. THE WOUND BECAME INFECTED AND POISONED. BROUGHT TO A HOSPITAL IN LEICESTER WHERE HE BECAME SERIOUSLY ILL AND SUCCUMBED. ALSO ADDED TO THE CENOTAPH IN 1951.

OTHERS WITH NEW MILLS CONNECTIONS NOT NAMED ON MEMORIAL

WILLIAM WHITLEY AITKEN, LANCE CORPORAL, 6^TH BOFFS. KILLED 3^RD MAY 1917. AGE 18. SON OF MR AND MRS AITKEN OF GRAVESEND, FORMERLY OF NEW MILLS. WILLIAMS FATHER WAS AT ONE TIME MANAGER OF GROVE PAPER MILL BUT MOVED TO GRAVESEND DURING THE WAR TO MANAGE ANOTHER MILL. WILLIAM WAS EDUCATED AT NEW MILLS SECONDARY SCHOOL. HE ATTENDED NEWTOWN WESLEYAN CHAPEL WHERE A SERVICE WAS HELD IN HIS MEMORY. JOINED UP IN SEPTEMBER 1914, AND WENT TO FRANCE IN JULY OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR. HE TOOK PART IN THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE SOMME IN 1916 AND THE BATTLE OF ARRAS WHERE HE WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED. A COMRADE WROTE TO THE FAMILY " WILLIAM TOOK CHARGE OF A LEWIS GUN IN FIGHTING NEAR CHERISY. THE No2 ON THE GUN SAW HIM FALL AND HEARD HIM SAYING SOMETHING, BUT THE DIN AND ROAR OF THE BATTLE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO CATCH THE WORDS."

GEORGE RAYNER, PRIVATE, 6518. 1^ST BATTALION EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 12^TH NOVEMBER 1914. AGED 33. SON OF JOHN AND ALICE RAYNER OF NEW MILLS. HUSBAND OF MARY RAYNER OF BLACKPOOL. BURIED LANCASHIRE COTTAGE CEMETERY, PLOEGSTEERT- COMINES-WARNETON, HAINAUT. BELGIUM.

GEORGE LEIGH MASSEY, PRIVATE, 49322. 9^TH BATTALION CHESHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 20^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 22. SON OF MRS E. A. BURGESS, OF 26, EAVES KNOLL ROAD, NEW MILLS. WENT TO FRANCE IN JUNE 1915, BUT WAS WOUNDED IN JULY. RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT ON THE 1^ST MAY 1917. EMPLOYED BY A WILMSLOW BUTCHER. FAMILY LIVED IN NEW MILLS BUT GEORGE NEVER HAD. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL.

JOSEPH LOMAS, PRIVATE, ARMY VETERINARY CORPS. DIED IN SALONICA OF BRONCHIAL PNEUMONIA, JANUARY 1919. AGED 30. ELDEST SON OF MR AND MRS LUKE LOMAS OF WOOD STREET. EMPLOYED AT ALBERT BLEACHWORKS. ASSOCIATED WITH ST LUKES SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOSEPH HAD SERVED IN ITALY BEFORE ARRIVING IN SALONICA. THE NAMES OF BROTHERS FRANK AND LUKE APPEAR ON THE CENOTAPH IN ST GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD

WILLIAM LOMAS, CORPORAL, 240841 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS(NOTTS & DERBY REGT).KILLED 21^ST MARCH 1918 .AGE 26. SON OF GEORGE HENRY LOMAS OF RACK HOUSE, ST ALBANS STREET, NEW MILLS. ATTENDED ST MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WHERE HE IS COMMEMORATED ALONG WITH OTHERS OF THE CONGREGATION WHO FOUGHT IN THE GREAT WAR ON A MEMORIAL IN THE CHURCHYARD. ALL OF THOSE OF THE FAITH WHO SERVED WERE LISTED. WILLIAM ENLISTED 1914 AND SERVED IN IRELAND DURING THE REBELLION. WILLIAM WAS WOUNDED IN THE SHOULDER IN 1916. COMMEMORATED ARRAS MEMORIAL- PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

WILFRED LAWSON FARRER, ORDINARY SEAMAN, J/91781. H.M.S. 'RESOLUTION'. ROYAL NAVY. DIED 10^TH MARCH 1920. AGED 19. SON OF WILLIAM BRINSLEY AND MARY FARRER, OF 27, UNION ROAD, NEW MILLS. BURIED MALTA (CAPUCCINI)NAVAL CEMETERY.

REGINALD THOMAS NIELD, PRIVATE, 42544. 8^TH BATTALION LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION AT CORMICY, 27^TH MAY 1918. AGED 18. SON OF THOMAS AND MARY NIELD OF LILY BANK, BUXTON ROAD, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. ATTENDED ST MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. REGINALD WAS THOUGHT TO BE A PRISONER OF WAR, BUT WHEN HE DID NOT RETURN HOME WITH OTHER PRISONERS HIS FAMILY CONTACTED THE RED CROSS. THE RED CROSS FOUND INFORMATION TO SUGGEST THAT HE WAS SHOT IN BATTLE AT CORNICY. COMMEMORATED SOISSONS MEMORIAL-AISNE.

JOHN JOSEPH CYRIL NIELD, PRIVATE, 24384. 2^ND BATTALION ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS. KILLED 20^TH JULY 1916. AGED 20. SON OF THOMAS AND MARY NIELD, OF LILY BANK, BUXTON ROAD, NEW MILLS. CONNECTED WITH ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY. EMPLOYED WATERSIDE PAPER MILL. JOHN WAS WOUNDED ON THE 6^TH AND HAD JUST REJOINED HIS UNIT WHEN HE DIED. HIS BROTHER REGINALD THOMAS ALSO FELL. COMMEMORATED THIEVAL MEMORIAL-SOMME.

JOHN EDWARD HAWKYARD, PRIVATE, 154956. 4^TH COMPANY CANADIAN MACHINE GUN CORPS. KILLED IN ACTION 16TH AUGUST 1917. AGE 43. SON OF JOSEPH AND EMMA HAWKYARD, OF SOUTHPORT, LANCASHIRE. NATIVE OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE. EMIGRATED 1908. BURIED MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY.

ERNEST HAWKYARD, PRIVATE, 624826. 50^TH BATTALION CANADIAN INFANTRY (ALBERTA REGIMENT). KILLED 11^TH AUGUST 1918. AGE 40. SON OF JOSEPH AND EMMA HAWKYARD, OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE, ENGLAND. ERNEST WAS BORN IN NEW MILLS. HIS FATHER HAD A DRAPERS SHOP ON HIGH STREET. A SCHOLAR OF THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. ERNEST EMIGRATED TO CANADA IN 1908 AND WHEN HE ENLISTED WAS EMPLOYED ON THE CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY. ERNEST HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR AROUND A YEAR WHEN HE FELL.

GEORGE WILLIAM COCKER, PRIVATE, 21575. 11^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT). KILLED 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 20. SON OF MRS ELIZABETH COCKER, OF 31, BANKSIDE, NEW MILLS. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL.

CHARLES ALFRED EASTHORPE, 36186. 1^ST/4^TH BATTALION THE LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED BY A SHELL 14^TH OCTOBER 1918. AGED 27. SON OF SAMUEL AND ELIZABETH EASTHORPE, HUSBAND OF SARAH ANN EASTHORPE, OF 22, ROCK STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT KINDER WATERWORKS. HAD BEEN SERVING IN FRANCE FOR EIGHTEEN MONTHS. BURIED RUE-PETILLON MILITARY CEMETERY, FLEURBAIX- PAS DE CALAIS.

JACK LIDDELL, LIEUTENANT, ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED 30^TH MARCH 1918. AGED 35. SON OF MRS LIDDELL AND THE LATE JOHN PEMBERTON LIDDELL PROPRIETOR OF THE CANAL FOUNDRY, OF CAMPSIE , NEW MILLS. ATTENDED STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL. WAS BY PROFESSION A CIVIL ENGINEER. MEMBER AND JOINT SECRETARY OF WHALEY GOLF CLUB . PLAYED CRICKET FOR NEW MILLS CRICKET CLUB. LIEUTENANT E. C. HARRIS A FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE OF JACK WROTE TO THE FAMILY "WE WERE WITH THE GREATER PART OF THE COMPANY HOLDING A TRENCH IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY ADVANCE AT A THREATENED AND CRITICAL POINT OF THE LINE. OUR ORDERS WERE TO HOLD IT AT ALL COSTS. JACK WAS KILLED BY A SHELL IN THE BOMBARDMENT. JACK WAS A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF COOLNESS AND COURAGE TO HIS MEN. WE BURIED HIM ABOUT 200 YARDS FROM THE TRENCH IN WHICH HE FELL, AND WE PLACED A SIMPLE WOODEN CROSS TO HIS MEMORY THERE. ALL THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD ALLOW"

STANLEY LIDDELL, PRIVATE, 58716. 1^ST BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY REGT ). KILLED 4^TH MARCH 1917. AGED 26. SON OF MRS LIDDELL AND THE LATE JOHN PEMBERTON LIDDELL, OF CAMPSIE, NEW MILLS. FIFTH SON AND ONE OF THREE BROTHERS IN THE SERVICES. EDUCATED AT STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL. MEMBER OF DISLEY LACROSSE CLUB AND WHALEY BRIDGE GOLF CLUB. CAPTAIN A. C. LIGHTFOOT, WROTE TO THE FAMILY " IT IS WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY THAT I HAVE TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR SON WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON THE 4^TH INST. DURING A SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON THE ENEMY'S TRENCHES. A COMPANY WERE ENGAGED IN CARRYING BOMBS UP TO THE CAPTURED TRENCHES AND WHILST SO WORKING YOUR SON WAS KILLED BY A GERMAN SHELL WHICH BURST NEAR HIS PARTY". COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL-SOMME.

J. F. SHAW, CORPORAL, 26185. 10^TH BATTALION ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS. KILLED 13^TH NOVEMBER 1916. AGED 26. SON OF JAMES AND HENRIETTA SHAW OF 11, POTTERS HEY TERRACE BUXTON ROAD, NEWTOWN, ANCRE BRITISH CEMETERY, BEAUMONT- HAMEL- SOMME, FRANCE.

WILLIAM HOLLINGWORTH WORRALL, COMPANY SERJEANT MAJOR, 3359. DEPOT. MANCHESTER REGIMENT. 21^ST JANUARY 1916. AGED 56. HUSBAND OF MARY WORRALL, OF 106, BUXTON ROAD, NEW MILLS. BURIED STOCKPORT(WILLOW GROVE) CEMETERY.

SAMUEL JOHN LIVERSLEY WYATT, SECOND LIEUTENANT, 18^TH BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED 23^RD APRIL 1917. AGED 20. SON OF SAMUEL AND ALICE WYATT OF 'HERTFORD', LOW LEIGHTON, NEW MILLS. COMMEMORATED ARRAS MEMORIAL.

JOHN SECOMBE, PRIVATE, KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE, 21^ST APRIL 1918. AGE 28. SON OF JAMES AND SARAH SECOMBE. INTERRED IN FRANCE. COMMEMORATED ON HIS FAMILIES GRAVE IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD.

"HE HAD DONE WHAT HE COULD"

FRED ALLEN, PRIVATE, KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE, 23^RD MARCH 1917. AGE 20. SON OF EDWIN AND ANNIE ALLEN OF HAGUE BAR, INTERRED IN FRANCE. COMMEMORATED ON HIS PARENTS GRAVE IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD.

       WALTER FLINT, PRIVATE 21412. 2ND BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). 71ST BRIGADE, 6TH DIVISION. DIED OF WOUNDS 18TH OCTOBER 1915. AGE 25. WALTER HAD BEEN AT THE FRONT SINCE MAY AND HAD TAKEN PART IN SEVERAL ENGAGEMENTS BEFORE HE WAS FATALLY WOUNDED BY A SHELL BURST ON THE 12TH OCTOBER. HE WAS BURIED ACCORDING TO THE RITES OF HIS CATHOLIC FAITH. WALTER WAS BORN IN GLOSSOP, BUT HAD RESIDED IN NEW MILLS FOR THE LAST ELEVEN YEARS. HE WAS EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. HE LEFT A WIDOW AND THREE CHILDREN. HE WAS A MEMBER OF ST MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH WHERE, FOLLOWING THE NEWS OF HIS DEATH, HE WAS COMMEMORATED IN A SPECIAL SERVICE. FOLLOWING THE SERVICE HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN LAID FLOWERS ON THE FAMILY GRAVE.

WILLIAM CHEETHAM, CORPORAL, 75^TH BATTALION, CANADIAN INFANTRY. KILLED IN ACTION AT VIMY RIDGE ON THE 9^TH APRIL 1917. AGED 26. SON OF CHARLES AND SARAH JANE CHEETHAM OF NEWTOWN. BOOK KEEPER AT GOYT MILLS, BEFORE EMIGRATING TO CANADA. INTERRED IN FRANCE. COMMEMORATED ON HIS PARENTS GRAVE IN ST. GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD.

"DUTY NOBLY DONE.



 

       HAYFIELD WAR DEAD 1914-18

 What passing-bells for those who die as cattle?

Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries for them from prayers or bells,

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

JOEL BAMFORD, PRIVATE, SCOTTISH REGIMENT. KILLED 20^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 20. SON OF MRS BAMFORD OF SMITH FOLD FARM. EMPLOYED AT FORGE BLEACHWORKS, CHINLEY. JOEL WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE BETHEL SUNDAY SCHOOL HE WAS A POPULAR FOOTBALLER WHO PLAYED FOR HAYFIELD ALBION. JOEL ENLISTED AS SOON AS HE WAS OLD ENOUGH AND AFTER TRAINING TRAVELLED TO FRANCE. NOTHING WAS HEARD OF JOEL FOR MANY MONTHS AND HIS ANXIOUS MOTHER EVENTUALLY CONTACTED THE RED CROSS. THEY WROTE IN REPLY THAT AFTER QUESTIONING MANY MEMBERS OF JOEL'S UNIT, BOTH IN ENGLISH HOSPITALS AND ABROAD THEY WERE UNABLE TO THROW ANY LIGHT ON HIS FATE. AS HIS NAME HAD NOT APPEARED ON ANY LIST OF PRISONERS, THEY REGRETFULLY CONCLUDED, THAT HE MUST HAVE LOST HIS LIFE IN CIRCUMSTANCES UNKNOWN, DURING THE ACTIONS OF THE 20^TH OF SEPTEMBER 1917.

FRANK BARLTHROP, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT). KILLED IN ACTION ON THE 7^TH DECEMBER 1917. AGED 40. LIVED AT BANK END FARM. BY TRADE A COMPOSITOR WHO WAS FOR A TIME EMPLOYED BY MR LEIGH OF NEW MILLS. AT THE TIME HE WAS CALLED UP FRANK WAS WORKING ON MUNITIONS. CALLED UP IN JUNE 1917 AND AFTER COMPLETING HIS TRAINING ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN OCTOBER. LEFT A WIDOW AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.

WILLIAM NELSON BEEVER, PRIVATE, 1^ST/7^TH BATTALION. KINGS LIVERPOOL REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION ON THE 29^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 32. SECOND SON OF MR ALFRED BEEVER, OF ELLERS BANK WHO WAS EMPLOYED AS A GAME KEEPER ON THE PARK HALL ESTATE. PRIOR TO ENLISTING WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AT WOOD PRINTWORKS. HE WAS A MEMBER OF HAYFIELD CONSERVATIVE CLUB AND CONNECTED WITH THE PARISH CHURCH. WILLIAM ENLISTED IN JULY 1916. DUE TO HIS PROFICIENCY AS A MARKSMAN, HE WAS SENT TO FRANCE IN SEPTEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR AFTER ONLY A FEW WEEKS TRAINING. HE WAS WOUNDED, BUT TREATED IT LIGHTLY AND WAS SOON BACK AT THE FRONT. FOLLOWING THE NEWS THAT WILLIAM HAD FALLEN THE FLAGS AT THE PARISH CHURCH AND CONSERVATIVE CLUB WERE HOISTED TO HALF MAST.

              JAMES BENNETT, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED 13^TH OCTOBER 1916. AGED 27. ELDEST SON OF THE LATE JAMES BENNETT, QUARRY PROPRIETOR OF NORTH VIEW, BIRCH HALL. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. BROTHER OF JOSEPH WHOSE NAME IS CONTAINED ON THE NEW MILLS CENOTAPH AND JOHN WHO ALSO ENLISTED. AMONGST THE PAPERS I FOUND THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT OF PRIVATE BENNETT'S EXPERIENCES IN THE DARDANELLES. JAMES WAS BACK IN THE COUNTRY RECOVERING FROM THE AFFECTS OF FROST BITE IN THE FOOT. " A FEW HOURS RAINFALL SUFFICED TO FLOOD THE TRENCHES TO A DEPTH OF NINE FEET, OWING TO THE NATURE OF THE GROUND IT WAS ALMOST CERTAIN DEATH TO ANY MAN WHO GOT IN IT. ON ONE OCCASION A NUMBER OF MEN , INCLUDING MYSELF, WERE THREE DAYS AND NIGHTS WITHOUT WATER TO DRINK OR FOOD TO EAT, BECAUSE THE STORES WERE WASHED AWAY. A GREAT SOURCE OF SUFFERING WAS THE WATER SUPPLY. WE HAD TO GET IT FROM POOLS WHICH WERE FOUND ON THE LAND WE OCCUPIED, OFTEN IT WAS BARELY FIT TO DRINK. MANY A MAN WOULD HAVE GIVEN HALF A SOVEREIGN FOR A DRINK OF GOOD WATER. WATER WAS EVENTUALLY BROUGHT FROM GALLIPOLI, BUT WAS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY. WATER WAS BEING DRUNK FROM ONE WELL, AT THE BOTTOM OF WHICH WERE FOUND TWO DEAD TURKS. IT OFTEN HAPPENED THAT FROST FOLLOWED THE FLOODS FREEZING OUR CLOTHES. THIS WAS WHAT CAUSED MUCH OF THE FROST BITE. OTHER SOURCES OF SUFFERING WERE LICE, FLIES AND RATS. OFTEN IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO GET FOOD FROM HAND TO MOUTH WITHOUT THE FLIES SETTLING ON IT".

RAYMOND BENNETT, PRIVATE, 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION; SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED IN FRANCE 27^TH APRIL 1917. AGE 20. RAYMOND BEGAN HIS WORKING LIFE AS A PIERCER AT CLOUGH MILL, BUT AT THE TIME OF JOINING UP WAS EMPLOYED AT WOOD MILL. SCHOLAR OF LITTLE HAYFIELD PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. RAYMOND ENLISTED IN 1914. HAVING FINISHED HIS TRAINING, HE SPENT SOMETIME ON HOME SERVICE BEFORE TRAVELLING TO IRELAND DURING THE SINN FEIN REBELLION OF 1916. ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN FEBUARY 1917. FOLLOWING RAYMOND'S DEATH COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR J. T. PARSONS WROTE..."HE WAS ON SENTRY DUTY ALONGSIDE THREE OTHER MEN AND A SERGEANT WHEN A SHELL BURST IN THE TRENCH. THE SHELL KILLED YOUR SON AND SERIOUSLY WOUNDED THE OTHERS. HE WAS A NICE CHAP WELL LIKED BY THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE COMPANY. HE WAS WORSHIPPED BY OUR CAPTAIN WHO, I AM SORRY TO SAY, FELL IN THE SAME ENGAGEMENT. THEY ARE BURIED NEXT TO ONE ANOTHER... I MAY SAY PERSONALLY THAT I LIKED HIM VERY MUCH, FOR HE CAME FROM HAYFIELD, AND I FROM NEW MILLS. WE OFTEN TALKED TOGETHER OF THE MEN WE KNEW."

DOUGLAS BOWDEN, PRIVATE, 276106. "A" COY. 9^TH BATTALION. ROYAL SCOTS. MISSING, PRESUMED KILLED 24^TH MARCH 1918. AGE 31. SON OF MRS MARY BOWDEN, OF RIDGE TOP LANE, HAYFIELD. DOUGLAS WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. DOUGLAS ENLISTED IN APRIL 1916 AND ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN FEBUARY 1918. COMMEMORATED ON THE POZIERES MEMORIAL- SOMME, FRANCE.

LEONARD BOWDEN, LANCE CORPORAL, 30951. 17^TH BATTALION; SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT). DIED OF WOUNDS 2^ND AUGUST 1917. AGED 21. SON OF ALBERT E. BOWDEN, OF SETT BANK, HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. LEONARD WAS A SCHOLAR OF HAYFIELD WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. ENLISTED IN SEPTEMBER, 1915 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN MARCH, 1916. DURING HIS SEVENTEEN MONTHS AT THE FRONT LEONARD HAD NEVER HAD A FURLOUGH. THE CHURCH FLAG WAS HOISTED TO HALF MAST IN A MARK OF RESPECT AS SOON AS THE NEWS OF HIS DEATH REACHED HOME. COMMEMORATED GWALIA CEMETERY, POPERINGHE-IEPER, WEST-VLAANDEREN. BELGIUM.

FRED BRADLEY, PRIVATE, LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 5^TH JULY 1916. AGED 19. YOUNGEST SON OF MR AND MRS WALTER BRADLEY, OF BIRCH VALE. FRED WAS EMPLOYED IN THE GOODS DEPARTMENT OF HAYFIELD RAILWAY STATION. HE WAS A SCHOLAR OF HAYFIELD CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. ENLISTED IN MARCH 1915 AND AFTER A FEW MONTHS TRAINING WENT TO FRANCE. FRED WAS WOUNDED AND CAME BACK TO ENGLAND FOR TREATMENT. HE RETURNED TO FRANCE IN FEBUARY 1916. FRED WAS HIT BY A SHELL AND KILLED INSTANTLY AS HIS UNIT WAS GOING OVER THE TOP.

NORMAN BUTLER, GUNNER. 706651. "C" BATTERY. 331^ST EAST LANCS BRIGADE. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. KILLED IN ACTION 30^TH MARCH 1918. AGE 21. SON OF GEORGE AND LAVINA BUTLER, OF 19, MIRFIELD DRIVE, MONTON GREEN, ECCLES, MANCHESTER. NATIVE OF HAYFIELD. NORMAN'S COMMANDING OFFICER WROTE TO HIS MOTHER INFORMING HER THAT HER SON WAS MISSING. HE ADDED "WHEN LAST SEEN NORMAN WAS LYING SERIOUSLY WOUNDED ON THE BATTLE FIELD". COMMEMORATED FOUILLOY COMMUNAL CEMETERY, SOMME, FRANCE.

WILLIAM RINGROSE CLARKE, SERGEANT. 473027. 65^TH BATTALION. CANADIAN INFANTRY. KILLED 23^RD OCTOBER 1915. AGE 56. VOLUNTEER LONG SERVICE MEDAL. SON OF PHILLIP AND ANNE CLARKE OF SANDBACH; HUSBAND OF H. CLARKE, OF NELSON PLACE, HAYFIELD. WILLIAM WAS IN BUSINESS AS A SADDLER IN NEW MILLS AND HAYFIELD. HE SPENT TWENTY NINE YEARS IN THE VOLUNTEER SERVICES BEFORE EMIGRATING TO CANADA IN 1911. IN CANADA WILLIAM BECAME A SERGEANT INSTRUCTOR WITH THE CANADIAN MILITIA. HE WAS CONGRATULATED BY THE CANADIAN MINISTER OF MILITIA ON THE SMART TURN OUT OF HIS MEN AND RAISED TO THE RANK OF STAFF SERGEANT. WILLIAM CAME TO ENGLAND WITH A DETACHMENT OF REINFORCEMENTS AND WAS STATIONED AT SHORNCLIFFE. ACTING AS SERGEANT OF THE GUARD ONE NIGHT WILLIAM SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LIGHT IN THE DISTANCE. HE STRUCK ACROSS COUNTRY TO SEE WHAT THE LIGHT MIGHT BE. WHILE ON HIS WAY HE FELL INTO A HOLE AND FRACTURED HIS SPINE. WILLIAM DIED IN HOSPITAL A FORTNIGHT LATER. HE WAS BURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS IN SHORNCLIFFE MILITARY CEMETERY, KENT.

JOHN H. COLLEY, PRIVATE, 2^ND/ 9^TH BATTALION; MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION, TUESDAY, 9^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGED 24. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL, ZONNEBEKE, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

FRED CROWTHER, PRIVATE, 11151. 8^TH BATTALION. CHESHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF DYSENTERY 24^TH OCTOBER 1915. AGED 19. SON OF MR SAVILLE CROWTHER, OF CLOUGH, LITTLE HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. FRED ENLISTED IN AUGUST 1914. HE SERVED IN BOTH EGYPT AND THE DARDANELLES BEFORE GOING TO FRANCE. COMMEMORATED PORTIANOS MILITARY CEMETERY, FRANCE.

THEODORE DOUGHTY, GUNNER, ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. KILLED BY A SHELL BURST 18^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 26. SON-IN-LAW OF MR AND MRS FRANCE, AND FATHER OF THREE CHILDREN. THEODORE (DICK) CAME TO HAYFIELD TO WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF KINDER WATERWORKS WHERE HE WAS AN ENGINE CLEANER. PRIOR TO JOINING UP HE WAS EMPLOYED AS AN ENGINEER AT TRAFFORD PARK. THEODORE JOINED UP IN DECEMBER 1917 AND AFTER A BRIEF PERIOD OF TRAINING HE WENT TO FRANCE AT EASTER 1918. SUFFERED THE EFFECTS OF GAS IN MAY, BUT RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT. THEODORE WAS THE FIRST CASUALTY THAT HIS UNIT HAD SUFFERED IN FIVE MONTHS.

STEWART DRINKWATER, LANCE CORPORAL, 28635. 2^ND BATTALION. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF MALARIA FEVER IN A CAIRO HOSPITAL, 10^TH OCTOBER 1918. AGE 22. ONLY SON OF THOMAS AND MARY MARIA DRINKWATER, OF HIGH STREET, HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AT MESSRS LATHAM'S, WHERE HE ACTED AS BRANCH MANAGER AT THE CHINLEY AND BROADBOTTOM SHOPS. CONNECTED WITH THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL AND THE PARISH CHURCH. MEMBER OF THE CONSERVATIVE CLUB. STEWART ENLISTED IN 1916. HE TRAINED IN ENGLAND FOR JUST OVER A YEAR DURING WHICH TIME HE WAS PROMOTED TO LANCE CORPORAL. IN JULY 1917 HE WENT TO MESOPOTAMIA AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL CHRISTMAS 1917. IN EARLY 1918 HE TRANSFERRED TO EGYPT AND FROM THERE TO PALASTINE. COMMEMORATED CAIRO WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY, EGYPT.

WILLIE FRANCE, PRIVATE, 12^TH BATTALION; MANCHESTER REGIMENT. .KILLED IN ACTION, 3^RD JANUARY 1916. AGED 21.SECOND SON OF MR JOSEPH FRANCE OF LITTLE HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED IN THE SPINNING DEPARTMENT OF CLOUGH MILL. WILLIE ATTENDED LITTLE HAYFIELD PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL AND SUNDAY SCHOOL, WHERE HE WAS FOR A TIME A TEACHER. WILLIE ALSO PLAYED FOOTBALL, FOR SEVERAL YEARS HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE LITTLE HAYFIELD TEAM. ENLISTED WITH PERCY HIBBERT IN SEPTEMBER 1914. THE TWO MEN TRAINED TOGETHER AT BOVINGTON, DORSET. THEY SAILED TO FRANCE TOGETHER ON THE 15^TH OF JULY. BOTH MEN DIED TOGETHER ON TUESDAY THE 3^RD JANUARY. IN LETTERS TO MRS FRANCE AND MRS HIBBERT, CORPORAL WALTER WARDLE OF THE MANCHESTER'S WROTE "THE ENEMY OPENED FIRE WITH ALL KINDS OF GUNS AND ONE OF THE SHELLS BURST IN THE DUGOUT IN WHICH THE LADS WERE RESTING. I SAW THEM ON THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, IN THE BEST OF SPIRITS." THE FLAG AT CLOUGH MILL WAS FLOWN AT HALF MAST. WILLIE AND PERCY WERE THE FIRST HAYFIELD LADS TO DIE AS A RESULT OF ENEMY ACTION. THEIR DEATHS WERE TAKEN VERY HARD IN THE VILLAGE AS WILL BE SHOWN LATER.

JOHN FURNESS, RIFLEMAN, S/6919. 2^ND BATTALION. RIFLE BRIGADE. DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION 1^ST AUGUST 1917 IN THE 3^RD CASUALTY CLEARING STATION. AGE 33. SON OF MR AND MRS JOSEPH HENRY FURNESS OF HIGHER BROUGHTON, MANCHESTER. NATIVE OF HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED WOOD'S PRINTWORKS. JOHN WAS A WELL KNOWN MEMBER OF HAYFIELD FLYING CLUB (PIGEON), WHERE HE FREQUENTLY CARRIED OFF THE PRIZES. JOHN PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH HAYFIELD FC ENLISTED IN NOVEMBER 1915. COMMEMORATED LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY- POPERINGE, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

ELIJA GARLICK, PRIVATE, 29843. 13^TH BATTALION; YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. MISSING PRESUMED KILLED FRIDAY, 23^RD NOVEMBER 1917. AGED 29. SON OF MR AND MRS WALTER GARLICK, OF 37, LOWER NOON SUN, THORNSETT, BIRCH VALE. WHO HAD TWO OTHER SONS IN THE SAME REGIMENT. THE FAMILY ORIGINATED IN GLOSSOP. FORMERLY EMPLOYED AT CLOUGH MILL, BUT AT THE TIME HE ENLISTED HE WAS WORKING AT HAYFIELD PRINTWORKS. ELIJA WAS A SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOINED UP IN 1915 AND HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR EIGHTEEN MONTHS AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. COMMEMORATED CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERAL, NORD, FRANCE.

JOHN GARSIDE, PRIVATE, ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION APRIL 1918. LIVED AT FAIRY BANK, HAYFIELD. IN DECEMBER 1915, JOHN COMPLETED NINETEEN YEARS CONTINUOUS SERVICE IN THE AUXILIARY FORCES. HE JOINED WHALEY BRIDGE TERRITORIAL IN DECEMBER 1896. VOLUNTEERED FOR SERVICE IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR , FOR WHICH HE POSSESSED THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDAL WITH FOUR BARS- SOUTH AFRICA, TRANSVAAL, ORANGE FREE STATE AND CAPE COLONY. IN JULY 1903 JOHN WAS MADE A LANCE CORPORAL, BUT HE REVERTED TO PRIVATE AT HIS OWN REQUEST. PREFERRING TO BE AMONGST THE RANKS. JOHN TRAVELLED TO FRANCE WITH THE TERRITORIALS IN FEBUARY 1915. FOR QUITE SOMETIME HE SERVED AS ORDERLY TO MAJOR HALL. IN MAY 1917, JOHN WAS BADLY WOUNDED IN THE ARMS AND LEGS BY A "BOMB" (GRENADE) WHICH WAS THROWN INTO A COMMUNICATION TRENCH. SEVERAL OF JOHN'S FRIENDS WERE KILLED AND JOHN SPENT SOME TIME IN HOSPITAL IN BRISTOL. FOLLOWING HIS RECOVERY JOHN RETURNED TO FRANCE AND JOINED THE IRISH REGIMENT.

JOHN GEE, PRIVATE, 3645. 6^TH BATTALION. CHESHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF ENTERIC 14^TH NOVEMBER 1916. AGE 20. SON OF THOMAS LAURENCE GEE AND EVA VIVIENNE GEE, OF THE MOUNT, HAYFIELD. EDUCATED AT LADY MANORS SCHOOL, BAKEWELL. EXCELLENT TENNIS PLAYER. EMIGRATED TO CANADA IN 1913, BUT RETURNED TO ENGLAND IN DECEMBER 1914 IN ORDER TO JOIN UP. JOHN ACTED AS ORDERLY TO MAJOR WOOD FOR A SHORT TIME. BEFORE CHOOSING TO TRAIN FOR THE FRONT. WHILST TRAINING HE GAINED THE RANK OF CORPORAL, BUT WAS FORCED TO RELINQUISH HIS RANK WHEN HE BECAME ILL. IT APPEARS THAT JOHN CONTRACTED ENTERIC FEVER FOLLOWING A ROUTINE VACCINATION. HE DIED IN A CIVILIAN ISOLATION HOSPITAL IN GREAT YARMOUTH. COMMEMORATED IN HAYFIELD CHURCH CEMETERY.

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THE BRAVE DEAD.

From the High Peak Reporter, January 1916. In its long and interesting history Hayfield has witnessed many stirring and impressive scenes, but none comparable to those which took place on Sunday afternoon, in honour of Private Willie France and Percy Hibbert, the first village lads to lay down their lives in the Great war. Their sad fate has made a vivid impression upon the public imagination, and had brought home more closely than ever the meaning of war. Private France was a member of the "Lily of the Valley" Lodge of Oddfellows, and Private Hibbert belonged to the "Virtue" Lodge of the same order. Both were associated with the Little Hayfield Primitive Methodist Chapel, and the officers there had arranged a memorial service on Sunday afternoon in their honour. The Oddfellows resolved to attend to pay their tribute of respect, as did the Home Guards. The Bugle Band of the New Mills Boy Scouts kindly attended to play the " Last Post," A vast crowd of people assembled on Hayfield Bridge where the procession was marshaled. The Scouts led the way, followed by the Home Guards in uniform, in the charge of commandant Bowden. Then came members of the Oddfellows clubs, friends, and workmates, to the number of several hundreds. Indeed, so large a number of men have not been gathered together in Hayfield for many a long day. They were by far the larger proportion of the male population of the village, and the procession was a most imposing one.

Long before the procession reached Little Hayfield the chapel was filled to overflowing with members of the bereaved families and other relatives and friends who had assembled to do honour to the brave dead. It was decided, therefore, to hold a brief service in the open air for the men who formed the procession and the ladies who accompanied it. Fortunately the weather was fine and mild, and this was no inconvenience. The service was conducted by the Reverend R.J.Fenwick, the circuit minister, and was opened by singing several verses of the hymn, O, God Our Help in Ages Past, followed by a short but appropriate prayer. Then the hymn "God Bless Our Native Land" was sung.

A most impressive address was delivered by the Reverend R.J.Fenwick......"Brave lads who belonged to us have fallen, fallen in Defence of their country, fallen in a foreign land. They have become victims of the horrors and cruelties of war..... Now this sad event should bring home to us as never before the reality of this war......until now Hayfield has escaped from the roll of heroic dead. Now we can see in fact that such a roll of honour must be established and at the head of that Roll of Honour our two boys must find first place. At the beginning of the war they heard their country's call and responded to it. Now for their country's freedom they have died. They have sealed their patriotic honour with their blood. We recognize their bravery and honour their devotion. We shall honour their memories.

Willie France was brought up in this Sunday school from childhood and this school and church he loved. He was one of its teachers, quiet and unassuming, yet always faithful to his duty and ever willing to help on the work in connection with this church. He was regular in his attendance, both at school and chapel, and while away in the trenches, we have no doubt, he oft thought of this little house of prayer, of the god of whom he had heard from the pulpit. But a little while before his death the superintendent of this school received a letter from him in which he spoke about this school, the happy times he spent in it, how oft he thought about it, how he hoped it was getting on alright, and how glad he should be to visit it again. However it has been ordered otherwise. Yet may be at his very moment his spirit is here and he is engaged in the worship of the heavenly temple. Willie France loved this school and he showed his love in a practical fashion. While he was training it was our school anniversary. He could not be here, but he did not forget us. Out of his small income he sent a gift to the collection. That gift we prized greatly, not for its value, but for the spirit that prompted it and the love there was behind it. In this school Willie France has been, and will be, missed.

Percy Hibbert belonged to this school too. He was one of our lads. During the time of his residence in this village here he attended both sessions of the school and the service of the chapel, and when home for a few days furlough he always came to our services and took an interest in them. From this school since he has been away training he has received a khaki bible, which gift he acknowledged with appreciation, and which gift he promised to read. He too will be missed by the members of this church and by his many friends."

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SAMUEL HADFIELD, PRIVATE, 20882. 10^TH BATTALION. SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT.). MISSING PRESUMED KILLED 14^TH FEBUARY 1916. AGE 19. SON OF CHARLES AND SARAH HADFIELD, OF " RECREATION VIEW," HAYFIELD. SAM ENLISTED IN 1914 AND COMPLETED HIS TRAINING AT LICHFIELD. SAM FELL WHILST TAKING PART IN A BAYONET CHARGE AGAINST THE GERMAN TRENCHES. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL- IEPER, WEST-VLAANDEREN.

THOMAS HADFIELD, PRIVATE, 29906. 7^TH/ 8^TH BATTALION. KING'S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERS. DIED OF WOUNDS RECEIVED AT THE BATTLE OF ARRAS 23^RD APRIL 1917. AGE 31. ONLY SON OF THE LATE JOHN WILLIAM AND HANNAH HADFIELD, OF SPRINGFIELD TERRACE, HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. TOM ATTENDED THE PARISH CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL. HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE ODDFELLOWS LODGE. BEING THE ONLY SON OF A WIDOWED MOTHER TOM NEED NOT HAVE ENLISTED, BUT RESPONDED WHEN THE CALL CAME. HE TRAINED FOR THIRTEEN MONTHS IN THE U.K. AND HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR THREE MONTHS WHEN HE WAS WOUNDED IN SEVERAL PLACES IN THE HAND AND LEGS DURING THE BATTLE OF ARRAS. TOM MANAGED TO CRAWL INTO A DUG OUT, WHERE HE LAY FOR FOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS WITH ONLY MUDDY WATER TO DRINK. ON THE FIFTH DAY HE SUCCEEDED IN CRAWLING TO A DRESSING STATION WHERE HE RECEIVED EVERY ATTENTION. THOUGH SUFFERING SEVERELY FROM LOSS OF BLOOD, EXPOSURE AND SHOCK TOM WAS ABLE TO WRITE HOME. HE STATED IN HIS MESSAGE THAT HE HAD HOPES OF RECOVERY. COMMEMORATED ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY - PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

WILLIAM HADFIELD, PRIVATE, LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS. KILLED IN ACTION, FRANCE, 13^TH OCTOBER 1916. AGED 31. FOURTH SON OF MR AND MRS BENJAMIN HADFIELD, OF CRESENT HOUSE, HAYFIELD. WILLIAM WAS BY TRADE A SLATER AND PLASTERER. HE SPENT MUCH OF HIS TIME CARRYING OUT REPAIRS AT WOOD PRINTWORKS. WILLIAM ENLISTED IN THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT AND TRANSFERRED TO THE LANCASHIRE REGIMENT.

HARRY HANDFORD, PRIVATE 2^ND/ 7^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED IN FRANCE 10^TH MAY 1917. AGED 31. SON OF MRS HANDFORD OF ARDEN TERRACE. EMPLOYED AT BANK VALE PAPER MILL (MESSRS JOHN SLACK LTD). HARRY WAS CONNECTED WITH THE CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE PARISH CHURCH CHOIR. AN EXCELLENT SPORTSMAN AND A PLAYING MEMBER OF THE CRICKET CLUB. HE WAS RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE CLUBS FINEST BATSMEN AND REGULARLY OPENED THE HAYFIELD INNINGS. HARRY'S COMMANDING OFFICER SENT NEWS OF HIS LOSS...."THAT I WRITE TO YOU OF YOUR SONS DEATH, WHICH HAPPENED THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING WHILST ENGAGED IN A MINOR ENTERPRISE ON THE ENEMIES TRENCHES. HE WAS EVER A WILLING AND CAPABLE SOLDIER, AND MOST RELIABLE IN A TIGHT CORNER, AS HE ONCE AGAIN PROVED, UNTIL HE WAS HIT BY AN ENEMY MACHINE GUN BULLET, DYING ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY"....

JOHN HANDFORD, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 1916. SON OF MRS HANDFORD OF ARDEN TERRACE, HAYFIELD. JOHN WAS EMPLOYED IN THE ENGRAVING DEPARTMENT OF WOOD PRINTWORKS. JOHN CAME FROM A WELL KNOWN HAYFIELD CRICKETING FAMILY. HE WAS HIMSELF THE GROUNDSMAN. ENLISTED IN 1915. JOHN WAS BADLY WOUNDED WHILST ON GUARD DUTY IN MAY 1916. A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL PASSED THROUGH HIS STEEL HELMET WOUNDING HIM IN THE HEAD. ANOTHER STRUCK HIM IN THE BACK OF THE SHOULDER AND PASSED STRAIGHT THROUGH BREAKING HIS COLLAR BONE. HE EVENTUALLY RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT LINE, WHERE HE FELL.

JOHN WILLIAM HAYNES, PRIVATE. 16^TH BATTALION. SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED THURSDAY 28^TH JUNE 1917. AGED 25. SON OF JAMES AND JANE HAYNES, OF PLEASLEY. RESIDED AT TOLL BAR WITH THE WARRINGTONS. CAME TO HAYFIELD FROM PLEASELY TO TAKE UP THE DUTIES OF POLICE OFFICER IN DECEMBER 1914. ENLISTED IN 1915 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN FEBUARY 1916. JOHN MADE MANY FRIENDS DURING HIS SHORT TIME IN THE VILLAGE, AND WAS HIGHLY RESPECTED. COMMEMORATED BRANDHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY, VLAMERTINGHE, IEPER, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

HARRY HEARSUM, RIFLEMAN, C/13027. 21^ST BATTALION. KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS. DIED OF WOUNDS 16^TH SEPTEMBER 1916. AGE 25. SON OF HANNAH HEARSUM, OF BROOK HOUSES FARM, LITTLE HAYFIELD. HARRY WAS EMPLOYED AT BANK VALE PAPER MILL. ATTACHED TO LITTLE HAYFIELD PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. HARRY ENLISTED IN DECEMBER 1915. HE TRAINED AT ALDERSHOT, WHERE HE ATTENDED THE FARRIERS SCHOOL FOR A COURSE ON HORSE SHOEING AND WAS THE ONLY ONE OUT OF A HUNDRED MEN TO PASS THE COURSE. HE WON A PRIZE OF £1-00 AND A CERTIFICATE WHICH WAS SENT TO HIS PARENTS. HARRY TRAVELLED TO FRANCE IN APRIL 1916. KILLED BY A GUN SHOT IN THE BACK. HARRY WROTE A LETTER HOME THE DAY BEFORE HE DIED. COMMEMORATED HEILLY STATION CEMETERY, MERICOURT-L'ABBE, SOMME, FRANCE.

PERCY HIBBERT, PRIVATE, 12^TH BATTALION; MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 3^RD JANUARY 1916. AGED 22. SON OF MR THOMAS HIBBERT OF BROOK HOUSE FARM, LITTLE HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AT WOOD PRINTWORKS. PERCY ATTENDED THE PARISH CHURCH AND THE CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. HE PLAYED FOOTBALLWITH HAYFIELD LADS CLUB. PERCY WAS TWICE OFFERED PROMOTION BUT TURNED IT DOWN SO THAT HE COULD REMAIN AMONG HIS MATES. SERGEANT MAJOR COLESHILL DESCRIBED PERCY AS "AN EVER WILLING, TRUSTWORTHY AND BRAVE MAN." THE FLAG AT WOOD PRINTWORKS WAS FLOWN AT HALF MAST IN RESPECT OF THEIR FALLEN WORKMATE.

FRED HODGSON, PRIVATE, 29677. 6^TH BATTALION. YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 27^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGE 24. SON OF GEORGE HODGSON, OF HAYFIELD ROAD; BIRCH VALE. ASSOCIATED WITH ST. LUKES CHURCH. FRED WAS A KEEN FOOTBALLER AND A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL HAYFIELD FOOTBALL TEAM. EMPLOYED AT HAYFIELD PAPER MILLS. ENLISTED IN THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS IN SEPTEMBER 1915, BUT TRANSFERRED TO THE YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. FRED WAS SHOT IN THE HAND AT THE BATTLE OF LOOS IN JULY 1916 AND ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL. HE WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE SUFFERING FROM TRENCH FOOT AND DID NOT RECOVER SUFFICIENTLY ENOUGH TO RETURN TO THE FRONT UNTIL JULY 1917, SHORTLY BEFORE HIS DEATH. COMMEMORATED POELCAPELLE BRITISH CEMETERY- LANGEMARK- POELKAPELLE, WEST-VLAANDEREN.

HARRY HUDSON, PRIVATE, 20362. 22^ND BATTALION. MANCHESTER REGIMENT. MISSING PRESUMED KILLED IN ACTION 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 21. SON OF JOHN AND ELIZABETH HUDSON; OF 5, GLADSTONE TERRACE, HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AT WOOD PRINTWORKS. HARRY ATTENDED THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE LIBERAL CLUB. AN EXCELLENT SPORTSMAN WHO HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS PLAYED CRICKET WITH THE HAYFIELD TEAM. ENLISTED IN 1914 AND TRAVELLED TO FRANCE IN OCTOBER 1915. HARRY WAS LISTED MISSING FOR FOUR MONTHS. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

FRED JENNINGS, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT) KILLED IN ACTION 21^ST MARCH 1918. FRED A NATIVE OF LONDON WAS EMPLOYED FOR A CONSIDERABLE TIME AS CHAUFFEUR TO MAJOR HILL-WOOD, MP. OF PARK HALL. ENLISTED IN FEBUARY 1916 AND SERVED IN IRELAND DURING THE REBELLION, BEFORE GOING TO FRANCE.

EZRA JEPSON, PRIVATE, 25506. 10^TH BATTALION; SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT). DIED MONDAY, 7^TH AUGUST 1916. COMMEMORATED DELVILLE WOOD CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL, SOMME, FRANCE. THE BOIS DELVILLE (OR D'ELVILLE) WAS A TRACT OF WOODLAND, NEARLY ONE KILOMETER SQUARE, THE WESTERN EDGE OF WHICH TOUCHED THE VILLAGE OF LONGUEVAL IN THE SOMME. THE CEMETERY WAS MADE AFTER THE ARMISTICE BY THE CONCENTRATION OF SMALL CEMETERIES AND ISOLATED GRAVES ( ALMOST ALL DIED JULY, AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, 1916) FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS. THERE ARE OVER 5,500 1914-18 WAR CASUALTIES COMMEMORATED ON THIS SITE. OF THESE NEARLY TWO-THIRDS ARE UNIDENTIFIED.

SAMUEL JOHNSON, RIFLEMAN, 21^ST BATTALION; KINGS ROYAL RIFLE CORPS WHO DIED ON WEDNESDAY, 13^TH JUNE 1917. AGED 38. COMMEMORATED YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, IEPER, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

TOM MITCHELL, PRIVATE, 1^ST/6^TH BATTALION; WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. (PRINCE OF WALES OWN). KILLED IN ACTION, THURSDAY, 25^TH APRIL 1918. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL, ZONNEBEKE, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

WILLIAM PARKER, GUNNER, 167798. 125^TH HEAVY BATTERY. ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. KILLED IN ACTION 13^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGE 32. YOUNGEST SON OF JAMES AND HANNAH PARKER, OF LITTLE HAYFIELD; HUSBAND OF MARY ALICE PARKER, CLOUGH LANE, LITTLE HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AT WOOD PRINTWORKS. WILLIAM PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH LITTLE HAYFIELD FC ENLISTED IN JULY 1917 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN JANUARY 1918. WILLIAM'S SECTION OFFICER WROTE "WAS KILLED IN ACTION AT ABOUT 8-45 ON FRIDAY MORNING, THE 13^TH INST. I WAS ON DUTY WITH HIM AT THE TIME, WE WERE JUST ABOUT TO BE RELIEVED WHEN A STRAY SHELL CAME OVER AND FELL AMONGST OUR DETACHMENTS. UNFORTUNATELY YOUR HUSBAND WAS KILLED OUTRIGHT AND TWO OF HIS COMRADES WOUNDED." COMMEMORATED MINDEL TRENCH BRITISH CEMETERY, ST. LAURENT-BLANGY- PAS DE CALAIS. FRANCE.

JOHN THOMAS PORRITT, PRIVATE,62480. 2^ND/ 4^TH BATTALION. ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS TRANSFERRED TO (237748) LABOUR CENTRE CLEARING OFFICE, LABOUR CORPS. DIED OF SICKNESS FOLLOWING WOUNDS (GAS). 5^TH APRIL 1919. AGED 38. ONLY SON OF RALPH AND MARTHA PORRITT, OF HIGHGATE FARM, HAYFIELD. JOHN ATTENDED HAYFIELD CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LILY OF THE VALLEY LODGE OF ODDFELLOWS. JOHN JOINED THE ROYAL SCOTS FUSILIERS IN SEPTEMBER 1916. HE TRAINED IN ESSEX AND THEN WENT TO IRELAND WHERE HE TRANSFERRED TO THE LABOUR COMPANY. AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH JOHN WAS ACTING AS GROOM TO AN ARMY CAPTAIN IN FRANCE. ALONG WITH ANOTHER SOLDIER JOHN WAS RIDING ON HORSEBACK, CARRYING LETTERS TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILST PASSING ALONG A ROAD THEY APPROACHED THE LEVEL CROSSING OF A RAILWAY OVER WHICH A TRAIN WAS ABOUT TO PASS. AS SOON AS THE TAIL END OF THE TRAIN HAD PASSED THEY RESTARTED THEIR JOURNEY TO THE POST. THE HORSE ON WHICH JOHN WAS RIDING GAVE A GREAT LEAP FORWARD. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A GREAT EXPLOSION FROM A MINE WHICH HAD EVIDENTLY BEEN HIDDEN BELOW THE TRACKS DURING THE WAR. JOHN WAS THROWN INTO THE AIR, WHILST HIS FRIEND AND THE TWO HORSES WERE BLOWN TO PIECES. THE LEAP OF THE HORSE HAD SAVED HIS LIFE, BUT HE WAS OVER COME BY GAS AND FUMES. HE WAS CONVEYED TO A HOSPITAL IN FRANCE, AND FROM THERE HE WAS CONVEYED STILL IN HIS BED TO A HOSPITAL IN YORK. IN JANUARY, HE WAS DISCHARGED AND ARRIVED HOME IN MARCH 1919. JOHN NEVER FULLY RECOVERED. HE REMAINED ILL AND SANK RAPIDLY. HE DIED ON THE 5^TH APRIL. BURIED HAYFIELD CHURCH CEMETERY.

HERBERT EDWARD PRICE, CORPORAL, 32556. 16^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED IN ACTION 31^ST MARCH 1918. AGED 21. SON OF THOMAS PRICE, OF HAYFIELD. ENLISTED IN NOVEMBER 1915 AND TRAVELLED TO FRANCE THE FOLLOWING YEAR. HERBERT WAS WITH A LEWIS GUN TEAM. IN SEPTEMBER 1917, HE RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF GALLANTRY ON THE FIELD. THE CERTIFICATE WAS AWARDED FOR HIS BRAVERY IN ATTACKING A GERMAN MACHINE GUN POST AND KILLING ITS CREW. A LETTER SENT TO THE FAMILY FROM A COMRADE TOLD HOW HERBERT WAS SHOT THROUGH THE LEGS. HIS FRIENDS COULD NOT REMOVE HIM FROM THE FIELD AS THEY RETREATED BECAUSE OF HIS INABILITY TO WALK. THEY THOUGHT THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN A PRISONER, BUT HIS DEATH WAS CONFIRMED ON THAT DATE. COMMEMORATED PREMONT BRITISH CEMETERY, AISNE, FRANCE.

ISAAC RAMWELL, CORPORAL, 16^TH BATTALION; SHERWOOD FORESTERS. KILLED IN ACTION BEAUMONT HAMEL 3^RD SEPTEMBER 1916. AGED 28. SON OF THE LATE ISAAC RAMWELL, WELL KNOWN CORNET PLAYER AND CONDUCTOR OF THORNSETT BAND, OF BIRCH VALE. ISAAC WAS SERVING AN APPRENTICESHIP TO MACHINE PRINTING AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. HE WAS A MEMBER OF BIRCH VALE CRICKET CLUB AND OF HAYFIELD LIBERAL CLUB. HE WAS ALSO ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT TEMPERANCE UNION. ISAAC WAS FRANK, GENIAL AND SO FULL OF HUMOUR THAT HE QUICKLY BECAME A FAVOURITE WHERE EVER HE WENT. ASSOCIATED WITH THE ZION SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HE HAD FOR A LONG TIME BEEN A TEACHER. SHORTLY BEFORE ENLISTING ISAAC BECAME A PREACHER ON THE UNITED METHODIST CIRCUIT. HE RENDERED CONSIDERABLE SERVICE TO THE LITTLE CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL AT ROWARTH. ISAAC WAS THE ONLY SON LEFT AT HOME OF A WIDOWED MOTHER AND THERE WERE MANY REASONS WHY HE COULD HAVE CLAIMED EXCEPTION, BUT HE ENLISTED IN THE SPRING OF 1915. NEWS OF ISAAC'S DEATH CAME VIA HIS MANY FRIENDS SERVING AT THE FRONT. ALEC CLARKE OF THORNSETT..."IT HAS GIVEN ME A VERY SAD BLOW, BECAUSE HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST. ALWAYS CHEERFUL, AND ALWAYS A KIND WORD FOR EVERYBODY." ANOTHER FRIEND WROTE "IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT HIS TALL LITHE FIGURE, HIS PLEASANT FACE AND EXPRESSIVE EYES WILL NO MORE BE SEEN AT BIRCH VALE." A SERVICE HELD AT THE ZION CHAPEL IN MEMORY OF ISAAC FILLED THE BUILDING WITH MANY PEOPLE UNABLE TO GAIN ADMITTANCE.

AARON RANGELEY, CORPORAL, WELSH FUSILIERS, TRANSFERRED FROM THE CHESHIRE REGIMENT SIX WEEKS BEFORE HIS DEATH. KILLED IN ACTION 6^TH SEPTEMBER 1917. AGED 19. SECOND SON OF MR AND MRS RANGELEY OF FISHERS LANE. ARRON WAS EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ATTENDED THE PARISH CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. ENLISTED IN 1915. ARRON WAS REPORTED TO HAVE DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS ARISING FROM SHRAPNEL WOUNDS IN THE LEFT LEG WHICH PROVED MORE SERIOUS THAN ANTICIPATED. THE FLAGS ON BOTH THE PRINTWORKS AND THE PARISH CHURCH WERE HOISTED TO HALF MAST IN A MARK OF RESPECT

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SHERWOOD FORESTERS.

FINE WORK IN RECENT BIG OFFENSIVE.

High Peak Reporter. August 1917. The Regiment to which most of the Peak lads belong is the Sherwood Foresters, and they were playing an important part in last weeks big offensive. Mr Parry Robinson, one of the war correspondents at the front, writes:- I have heard of very fine fighting done by the Sherwood foresters in this battle. The scene of their attack was through Hooge, north- eastwards by the large sheet of shallow water known as the Bellewaarde Lake and the surrounding marshy lands towards the ridge beyond. It was difficult country, very uneven, and full of swampy patches with clumps of trees and scattered German strong-holds with abundant concrete defences. The troops of which the men of the Notts and Derby formed a part, had stiff fighting all day. Hooge itself was not a serious obstacle, having been already obliterated by our guns, but beyond here, past the lake and wood and over the Bellewaarde ridge, there was continual machine gun fire and stout resistance in innumerable trenches and strong points. One trench near the lake—it was extremely strongly fortified and held--- was cleared in gallant style by certain Northamptonshires, who took two machine guns, the others being smashed or buried, and eighty prisoners in two batches.

On the right of them the Sherwood foresters were at work. They cleared the wood known as Chateau Wood, swept over the southern slopes of Bellewaarde Ridge and on to Westhoak. Especially strong fortified positions lay in their path at the cross roads near Westhoak, the nucleus of which were the ruins of an old estaminet, which had been converted into a nest of concrete machine gun posts. It was stalked and attacked with bombs, and when the foresters got possession there were still 40 unwounded prisoners of the garrison left. They fought their way on, and finally established a line on the summit of the Westhoak Ridge. Here other troops came up in support, and went on and captured, Westhoak village with trenches beyond, over which there has since been such desperate fighting.

Each scattered machine gun post and enemy redoubt was the center of a separate minor operation making a true soldiers battle, and the testimony of all concerned is that the self-reliance, resource, and individual gallantry of our men could not have been excelled. Wherever an officer was wounded a non-commissioned officer or, if necessary a private took command, and every little unit seems to have done its job.

After the limit of the advance had been reached the enemy began a very heavy artillery and machine gun barrage, and that evening the rain the rain came down in earnest. Our men had practically no shelter. Our guns, could give no protection and at the beginning of the early afternoon of the second day the enemy counter attacked in great weight repeatedly, and from two directions. These attacks were beaten off by rifle fire and Lewis guns. There was a time when the Germans gained a foothold in some of our positions in Westhoak, but the marvel is that they did not succeed in the whole of our advanced line and recovering the ground lost.

In the course of our late advance here at one time the troops on the left had difficulty, and there was a gap of some 130 yards in our line. The enemy discovered it, and tried to drive a wedge in, but it was stopped almost exclusively by a couple of Lewis gunners using guns from their shoulders. In the ground captured by these troops was the north -western end of the great tunnel which runs under the Menin road from Hooge westward for a mile and a half, the capture of the eastern and of which I have already described. As in the other portion the Germans have made much less resistance than they might have done, and no special difficulty was experienced, though parties of the enemy at some points fought well."

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         JABEZ H. B. REDFERN, PRIVATE, 13^TH BATTALION; YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 23^RD AUGUST 1916. AGED 36. ELDEST SON OF EDWARD HENRY REDFERN OF HAYFIELD. JABEZ WAS EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ATTACHED TO THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE BETHEL BROTHERHOOD. JABEZ WAS A DEEPLY RELIGIOUS MAN AND THOUGH NO LOVER OF WAR OR FIGHTING, HE ENLISTED FOR THE SAKE OF HIS COUNTRY. JOINED UP AT THE END OF 1915 AND HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS WHEN HE FELL.

TOM REDFERN, RIFLEMAN, ARTS AND CRAFTS BATTALION; KINGS ROYAL RIFLES. KILLED IN ACTION 11^TH JUNE 1916. AGED 41. ELDEST SON OF MRS HANDFORD OF ARDERN TERRACE, HAYFIELD. PRIOR TO ENLISTING TOM WAS EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. HE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARISH CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. TOM ENLISTED IN 1915 AND AFTER COMPLETING HIS TRAINING AT ALDERSHOT AND WHIELEY CAMPS HE TRAVELLED TO FRANCE. AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH TOM HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS. HE LEFT A WIDOW AND SIX CHILDREN.

THE IDEA OF NAMED BATTALIONS FOR SECTIONS OF THE POPULATION WAS A FLAWED ONE, NEVER AGAIN REPEATED. BATTALIONS SUCH AS THE ARTISTS, POETS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS WERE VERY POPULAR WITH THOSE SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND NO DOUBT ENCOURAGED MANY MEN TO JOIN UP, KNOWING THAT THEY WOULD BE AMONGST LIKE MINDED COMRADES. HOWEVER WHEN THESE BATTALIONS CLIMBED OUT OF THEIR TRENCHES IN TO THE HELL OF NO-MANS LAND THE LOSS TO THEIR CALLING WAS IMMENSE.

HAROLD ROY RICHARDSON, LANCE CORPORAL, 13^TH BATTALION. YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS ON THE 12^TH APRIL 1918. AGE 23. SON OF MR AND MRS WILLIAM RICHARDSON, OF GLADSTONE TERRACE, HAYFIELD. HAROLD HAD WORKED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS, BUT MOVED TO BARNSLEY JUST BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF WAR, IN ORDER TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT AT DEARNE VALLEY COLLIERY. THE RICHARDSON'S ORIGINATED IN CLAY CROSS WHERE HAROLD REMAINED A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH CHOIR. WHILST IN HAYFIELD HE ATTENDED THE PARISH CHURCH. HAROLD ENLISTED IN SEPTEMBER 1914 AND SPENT THREE MONTHS IN EGYPT. BEFORE TRANSFERRING TO FRANCE. HE TOOK PART IN THE SOMME OFFENSIVE IN JULY 1916, AND THE MANY BATTLES WHICH FOLLOWED. UNTIL HE WAS FATALLY WOUNDED HAROLD HAD ESCAPED INJURY, THOUGH HE HAD SPENT TIME IN HOSPITAL WITH TRENCH FOOT. HAROLD DIED OF WOUNDS IN AN AUSTRALIAN CASUALTY CLEARING STATION. THE STATIONS CHAPLAIN FORWARDED A LETTER ADDRESSED TO HAROLD'S SISTER, WHICH HE HAD BEEN GIVEN BY THE DYING HAROLD. THE LETTER, CARRIED A NOTE FROM THE CHAPLAIN TELLING THE FAMILY OF HAROLD'S FATE.

UGHTRED HALL ROBINSON, RIFLEMAN, R/7949. 7^TH BATTALION. KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORP. KILLED IN ACTION 19^TH AUGUST 1916. AGE 27. SON OF JAMES AND ANNIE ELIZABETH ROBINSON, OF LUCAS TERRACE, HAYFIELD. UGHTRED WAS ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN YOUNG MEN IN HAYFIELD. PRIOR TO JOINING UP UGHTRED WAS EMPLOYED IN THE DYE HOUSE AT WOOD PRINTWORKS. ATTENDED THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHAPEL CHOIR. HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LIBERAL CLUB. UGHTRED JOINED UP IN DECEMBER 1914 AND AFTER A SHORT TIME TRAINING TRAVELLED TO FRANCE. UGHTRED TOOK PART IN THE BATTLES AT HOOGE FROM MAY TO JULY 1915. HE HAD BEEN AT THE FRONT FOR 14 MONTHS WITH ONLY ONE FURLOUGH. HE WAS ACTING, AS HE HAD BEEN FOR SOME MONTHS AS A STRETCHER BEARER WHEN HE FELL. COMMEMORATED DELVILLE WOOD CEMETERY, LONGUEVAL- SOMME, FRANCE.

ALBERT ROEBUCK, PRIVATE, 19234. SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). SON OF MR AND MRS JOHN ROEBUCK, OF THE BANK, HAYFIELD. MISSING PRESUMED KILLED 21^ST MARCH 1918. AGED 27. ALBERT ENLISTED IN NOVEMBER 1914. WENT TO FRANCE IN MARCH 1915. HE WAS INVALIDED HOME WITH SEPTIC POISONING IN EARLY 1917, BUT RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO THE FRONT IN JULY. ALBERT'S PARENTS HOPED HIM TO BE A PRISONER OF WAR FOR MANY MONTHS.

HUBERT SHAW, RIFLEMAN, K/12980. "A" COY. 8^TH BATTALION. KING'S OWN ROYAL RIFLE CORP. MISSING PRESUMED KILLED DEAVILLE WOOD 24^TH AUGUST 1916. AGED 26. SON OF JAMES AND SARAH SHAW, OF LUCAS TERRACE, HAYFIELD. HUBERT HAD BEEN EMPLOYED AT CLOUGHS MILL AND WOOD PRINTWORKS, BUT AT THE TIME HE ENLISTED HE WAS WORKING FOR THE WATERWORKS AT BURNLEY. ASSOCIATED WITH LITTLE HAYFIELD SUNDAY SCHOOL AND CHAPEL. HUBERT WAS VERY FOND OF MUSIC AND A VERY ABLE MUSICIAN. MEMBER OF THE LIBERAL CLUB. ENLISTED IN MAY 1915 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN THE AUGUST. EARLY IN DECEMBER HE WAS WOUNDED IN THE HEAD AND FACE AND SENT TO THE CANADIAN HOSPITAL AT TAPLOW. RECOVERED AND WAS BACK IN FRANCE IN FEBUARY 1916. HUBERT'S FAMILY RECEIVED A POST CARD WRITTEN THE DAY BEFORE HIS DEATH. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

FRANK SINGLETON, PRIVATE, 331065. 8^TH BATTALION. ROYAL SCOTS. KILLED IN ACTION 23^RD JULY 1918. AGE 19. THIRD SON OF MR AND MRS JOSEPH SINGLETON, OF NEW HOUSES, LITTLE HAYFIELD. ATTENDED LITTLE HAYFIELD PRIMITIVE METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. EMPLOYED AT WOOD PRINTWORKS BEFORE JOINING UP. JOINED THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS IN OCTOBER 1914 BEFORE REACHING THE AGE OF 16. AFTER SERVING TWO YEARS, SOME OF IT IN IRELAND DURING THE REBELLION FRANK WAS SENT HOME DUE TO HIS AGE. HE WAS RECALLED TO THE COLOURS IN NOVEMBER 1916 AND JOINED THE ROYAL SCOTS. SHORTLY AFTER REJOINING HE WAS AGAIN SENT TO IRELAND. FOLLOWING A SHORT FURLOUGH AROUND CHRISTMAS 1917 FRANK TRAVELLED TO FRANCE. WHEN THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE BEGAN IN MARCH FRANK WAS ACTIVELY ENGAGED. ON ONE OCCASION HE WAS HIT IN THE LEG BY SHRAPNEL WHICH HE REMOVED HIMSELF, SO HE COULD CONTINUE FIGHTING. FRANK'S OFFICER WROTE... "IT WAS THE EARLY MORNING OF JULY 23^RD, DURING THE COURSE OF AN ATTACK THROUGH A WOOD THAT FRANK WAS KILLED. WE WERE LYING SIDE BY SIDE WHEN A SHELL BURST CLOSE BY US, I HAD NO SUSPICION THAT FRANK HAD BEEN HIT. I TURNED TO SPEAK TO HIM A MINUTE OR TWO LATER AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THAT HE HAD PASSED AWAY. HE WAS SO POPULAR IN THE SECTION THAT HIS DEATH HAS BROUGHT A GLOOM OVER ALL MY BOYS". COMMEMORATED MARFAUX BRITISH CEMETERY, MARNE, FRANCE.

GEORGE SMITH, PRIVATE, 204254. 2^ND/ 4^TH BATTALION. YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT. MISSING PRESUMED KILLED IN ACTION 3^RD MAY 1917. AGE 19. SON OF JOHN AND MARY ELLEN SMITH, OF SPRING VIEW TERRACE, HAYFIELD. CALLED UP AT AGE 18, IN OCTOBER 1916 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN JANUARY 1917. AFTER TAKING PART IN SEVERAL ENGAGEMENTS GEORGE WAS REPORTED MISSING AT BULLECOURT. HE WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED KILLED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1919. COMMEMORATED H.A.C. CEMETERY, ECOUST-ST.MEIN, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

WILLIE THOMPSON, PRIVATE, 13^TH BATTALION. YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 1^ST JULY 1916. AGED 22. YOUNGEST SON OF MR AND MRS ALFRED THOMPSON, OF SPRINGVIEW. FORMERLY EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS AND AT BANK VALE PAPER MILLS, BUT AT THE TIME OF HIS ENLISTMENT WAS WORKING IN YORKSHIRE. ATTENDED HAYFIELD CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. WILLIE ENLISTED IN 1914. NEWS OF WILLIES DEATH CAME VIA HAROLD RICHARDSON (WHO ALSO FELL). "THE WORD CAME ALONG AND OVER WE WENT INTO A HELLISH FIRE THINKING NOTHING OF OURSELVES, OUR ONLY THOUGHT WAS OF DUTY. BILL, WITH THE REST OF US CHEERFULLY PUSHED ALONG UNTIL A BULLET FOUND A PLACE IN HIS HEART. HE SUFFERED NO PAIN.....GOD ONLY KNOWS HOW I FEEL HIS LOSS. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT DAY."

HERBERT TOWLER, GUNNER, 152369. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. DIED OF WOUNDS 19^TH AUGUST 1917. AGED 38. LIVED WITH HIS WIFE, SON AND DAUGHTER AT NEW HOUSE FARM. HERBERT HAD BEEN EMPLOYED AS A CLERK ON THE GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY FOR TWENTY SIX YEARS. ENLISTED IN AUGUST 1916 AND WENT TO FRANCE IN OCTOBER OF THE SAME YEAR. HERBERT'S WIFE RECEIVED WORD THAT HE HAD BEEN WOUNDED AND WAS IN HOSPITAL CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY NEWS OF HIS DEATH. THE CHURCH FLAG WAS HOISTED TO HALF MAST IN HONOUR OF THE FALLEN SOLDIER.

THOMAS TYRER, PRIVATE, 15373. 8^TH BATTALION. SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 1^ST OCTOBER 1916. AGED 25. SON OF MRS ANNIE TYRER, OF 4, SETT BANK KINDER, HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, SOMME, FRANCE.

WILLIAM WARDLE, PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT). KILLED HAYFIELD WAKES WEEK 1916. AGED 40. WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AS A CARTER. THOUGH NOT A NATIVE OF HAYFIELD, WILLIAM HAD LIVED THERE FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WESLEYAN CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL. ENLISTED IN 1915 AND WENT TO THE FRONT IN MARCH 1916. WORD OF THE DEATH OF WILLIAM WARDLE CAME TO HAYFIELD VIA LEONARD BOWDEN WHO WAS SERVING IN THE SAME REGIMENT.

CHARLES WATERHOUSE, PRIVATE, 241674. 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION; SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. MISSING, PRESUMED KILLED IN ACTION, THURSDAY, 21^ST MARCH 1918. AGED 27. SON OF MR CHARLES WATERHOUSE, OF BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. CHARLES WAS A MEMBER OF BIRCH HALL BOWLING CLUB. APART FROM BOWLS HE WAS ALSO VERY FOND OF FOOTBALL AND FOLLOWED THE GAME CLOSELY. ASSOCIATED WITH ST. LUKES CHURCH. CHARLES SERVED IN IRELAND DURING THE REBELLION AND WAS WOUNDED IN STREET FIGHTING IN DUBLIN. CHARLES LATER SERVED IN FRANCE WHERE HE WAS TWICE WOUNDED, ONCE BURIED BY A SHELL AND ONCE WOUNDED IN THE FACE. CHARLES HAD BEEN AT HOME ON LEAVE JUST FOUR WEEKS BEFORE HE WAS REPORTED MISSING. ONE OF THREE BROTHERS IN THE FORCES, JOSEPH WAS ALSO KILLED. COMMEMORATED ON THE ARRAS MEMORIAL, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

FRED WATERHOUSE, PRIVATE, MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 23^RD SEPTEMBER 1916. AGED 25. ELDEST SON OF MR AND MRS JOSEPH WATERHOUSE, OF BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS, BUT SHORTLY BEFORE ENLISTING FRED HAD MOVED HOME AND TAKEN UP A POSITION IN HUDDERSFIELD. WHILST RESIDING AT BIRCH VALE FRED WAS A MEMBER OF THE ZION SUNDAY SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE HAYFIELD ODDFELLOWS LODGE. ENLISTED IN NOVEMBER 1915.

JOSEPH WATERHOUSE, PRIVATE, 57286. 1^ST BATTALION. SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED 12^TH APRIL 1917. AGED 40. SECOND SON OF CHARLES AND MARY WATERHOUSE, OF BIRCH VALE; HUSBAND OF MARTHA ELIZABETH WATERHOUSE, OF CLOUGH LANE, LITTLE HAYFIELD. JOSEPH WORKED AT SEVERAL LOCAL QUARRIES BEFORE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT AT BANK VALE PAPER MILL. HE REMAINED AT THE MILL UNTIL HE ENLISTED ON THE 29^TH JULY 1915. JOSEPH WAS CONNECTED WITH HAYFIELD PARISH CHURCH AND ROWARTH SUNDAY SCHOOL. WHEN THE NEWS THAT HE HAD FALLEN REACHED THE VILLAGE FLAGS AT BOTH THE PARISH CHURCH AND PAPER MILL WHERE FLOWN AT HALF MAST. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL-SOMME, FRANCE.

THE LOSSES OF THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGIMENT) THROUGHOUT THE GREAT WAR WERE ESTIMATED AT ELEVEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND TEN MEN OF ALL RANKS.

WILLIE WATERHOUSE, GUNNER, ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. KILLED 1918. SECOND SON OF JAMES WATERHOUSE OF LITTLE HAYFIELD. PRIOR TO ENLISTING WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AT CLOUGH MILL. HE ATTENDED THE BETHEL SUNDAY SCHOOL. WILLIAM HAD BEEN IN THE ARMY FOR THREE YEARS DURING WHICH TIME HE HAD SPENT THIRTEEN MONTHS IN ITALY.

EDWARD WOGAN, SERJEANT, 35705. "D" BATTERY. 72^ND BRIGADE. ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. DIED 11^TH SEPTEMBER 1918. AGED 25. SON OF EDWARD AND ANNIE RANGELEY, OF MARKET STREET, HAYFIELD. EDWARD, KNOWN AS "TEDDY" WAS EMPLOYED AS ASSISTANT TO MR LEEMING, BUTCHER, OF NEW MILLS. ASSOCIATED WITH HAYFIELD PARISH CHURCH. EDWARD ENLISTED IN EARLY 1915 AND SERVED IN FRANCE FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS. HE ENJOYED THE BEST OF LUCK, ESCAPING INJURY UNTIL HE WAS GASSED DURING AN ATTACK. EDWARD WAS IN HOSPITAL FOR SOME TIME RECOVERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE GAS. HAVING, IT APPEARED, SUFFICIENTLY RECOVERED EDWARD CAME HOME ON LEAVE UNDER THE CARE OF DOCTOR CHAPMAN, OF NEW MILLS. HE DECLINED AND DIED SUDDENLY. BURIED HAYFIELD CHURCH CEMETERY.

JAMES SAMUEL WOOLLEY, 44059. 16^TH BATTALION. CHESHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION ON THE 22^ND OCTOBER 1917. AGE 37. SON OF THE LATE CHARLES AND ELIZABETH WOOLLEY; HUSBAND OF LILY ELIZABETH WOOLLEY OF LOW LEIGHTON. AN HAYFIELD LAD. JAMES'S PARENTS DIED WHEN HE WAS QUITE YOUNG, AND JAMES MADE HIS HOME WITH MRS BESSIE MARRIOTT IN MARKET STREET. ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN CRICKETERS IN THE HIGH PEAK, JAMES PLAYED FOR MANY YEARS WITH THE HAYFIELD CLUB. JIM AS HE WAS KNOWN ALSO PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR HAYFIELD IN THE STOCKPORT LEAGUE. JAMES WAS EMPLOYED AS A QUARRYMAN AT WHALEY BRIDGE. JOINED THE CHESHIRES AND AFTER TRAINING WENT TO FRANCE IN MARCH 1915. IN MAY 1917, JAMES WAS ILL WITH TRENCH FEVER AND FOR FOUR MONTHS HE WAS IN HOSPITAL IN FRANCE. JAMES HAD ONLY BEEN BACK AT THE FRONT A FORTNIGHT WHEN HE FELL. LEFT A WIDOW AND DAUGHTER. COMMEMORATED ON THE TYNE COT MEMORIAL, ZONNEBEKE, WEST-VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM .

OTHERS WITH HAYFIELD CONNECTIONS NOT NAMED ON MEMORIAL

JAMES ROY HOWARD, GUNNER, 58958. 3^RD SIEGE BATTERY. ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY. KILLED IN ACTION 1^ST MARCH 1916. AGE 26. SON OF ERNEST AND MARY HOWARD, OF ALEXANDRIA, DUMBARTONSHIRE. NATIVE OF HAYFIELD, DERBYSHIRE. JAMES MOTHER WAS A DAUGHTER OF THE LATE JAMES HADFIELD OF CHURCH STREET. JAMES SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME IN THE VILLAGE WITH HIS RELATIVES. HE WAS REJECTED FOR MILITARY SERVICE ON MEDICAL GROUNDS ON HIS FIRST APPLICATION. JAMES PATRIOTICALLY OFFERED HIMSELF AGAIN AND WAS ACCEPTED. HE HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE FRONT LINE A FORTNIGHT WHEN HE FELL. COMMEMORATED LIJSSENTHOEK MILITARY CEMETERY. BELGIUM.

THOMAS SILVERSIDES, PRIVATE, 88959. 106^TH COY. MACHINE GUN CORPS (INF). KILLED 20^TH OCTOBER 1917. AGE 29. HUSBAND OF DOROTHY SIMISTER (FORMERLY SILVERSIDES), OF HAZEL VILLAS, HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED TYNE COT MEMORIAL- ZONNEBEKE, WEST- VLAANDEREN, BELGIUM.

RICHARD RUSCOE, CORPORAL, 675244. 168^TH BATTALION. CANADIAN INFANTRY (MANITOBA REGIMENT). KILLED 14^TH OCTOBER 1918. AGE 35. SON OF JOHN AND REBECCA RUSCOE, OF ARCALL HEATH, SHROPSHIRE. HUSBAND OF K. E. RUSCOE OF STONEHEAD COTTAGE, HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED DRUMBO (WINDFALL) PROTESTANT CEMETERY- ONTARIO.

RICHARD JOSEPH SHAW, SECOND LIEUTENANT. 11^TH BATTALION. SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS 26^TH JUNE 1917. AGE 26. SON OF ALBERT GARDINER SHAW AND ROSE HANNAH SHAW OF DIDSBURY TERRACE. RICHARD A NATIVE OF HAYFIELD, WAS BORN IN THE FAMILY HOME. ATTENDED THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL BEFORE HE MOVED AWAY AGED TEN. ENLISTED IN THE ROYAL FUSILIERS (PUBLIC SCHOOLS BATTALION) TRANSFERRED IN 1915 AND ARRIVED IN FRANCE IN JULY 1915 AS A SERGEANT. IN JUNE 1916 HE WAS WOUNDED. RECEIVED HIS COMMISSION IN FEBUARY 1917. DIED IN HOSPITAL, ETAPLES OF WOUNDS, (GAS). COMMEMORATED ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY- PAS DE CALAIS.

JAMES BAXTER, SERGEANT, MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION JUNE 1917. AGED 24. SON OF JAMES BAXTER (FORMERLY) OF BIRCH VALE. JAMES WAS BORN IN BIRCH VALE. HE WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE ZION SUNDAY SCHOOL AND A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR. HE MOVED WITH HIS FATHER TO MANCHESTER WHERE, PRIOR TO ENLISTING HE WAS EMPLOYED IN THE OFFICES OF THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY IN BALLOON STREET. ENLISTED IN JUNE 1916 AND HAD BEEN IN FRANCE FOR 4 MONTHS WHEN HE WAS KILLED. HIS GRANDPARENTS WERE STILL RESIDING IN BIRCH VALE AT THE TIME.

JOHN BEVAN FIELDEN, PRIVATE, 41302. "D" COY. 1^ST / 4^TH BATTALION. THE LOYAL NORTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 29^TH APRIL 1918. AGE 19. SON OF SARAH ANN AND JOHN BEVAN FIELDEN, FORMER LANDLORD OF THE PACK HORSE HOTEL. JOINED UP AT EIGHTEEN AND HAD BEEN A SOLDIER FOR ONLY TEN MONTHS WHEN HE FELL. NATIVE OF HAYFIELD, SPENT ALL HIS BOYHOOD DAYS IN THE VILLAGE. COMMEMORATED HOUCHIN BRITISH CEMETERY, PAS DE CALAIS, FRANCE.

F. POTTS, PRIVATE, 28133. 11^TH BATTALION. EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 21^ST DECEMBER 1916. AGED 26. SON OF WILLIAM AND ELIZABETH POTTS; HUSBAND OF ADA MARSHALL (FORMERLY POTTS), OF 6, SWALLOW HOUSE LANE, HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED SAILLY-AU-BOIS MILITARY CEMETERY.

FRANK KNOWLES, PRIVATE, 46619. 12^TH BATTALION. MANCHESTER REGIMENT. KILLED IN ACTION 2^ND MARCH 1917. AGED 25. SON OF JOSEPH AND HANNAH KNOWLES OF MARPLE BRIDGE. NATIVE OF HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN, SEINE.

FRANK EDWIN KEIGHTLEY, SERJEANT, 35470. 28^TH COY. MACHINE GUN CORPS (INF). KILLED 17^TH OCTOBER 1916. AGED 29. SON OF FRANK KEIGHTLEY, OF BECKINGHAM; HUSBAND OF ANNIE KEIGHTLEY, OF STONES HEAD, HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, FRANCE.

E. J. LARGE, PIONEER, 83167. H.Q. 40^TH DIVISION. ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED 7^TH MARCH 1919. AGED 32. HUSBAND OF EVA ELLEN BALL (FORMERLY LARGE). OF MARKET STREET, HAYFIELD.

J. N. HANDFORD, PRIVATE, 240747. 2^ND/ 6^TH BATTALION. SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). DIED 11^TH JUNE 1921. AGED 39. SON OF JAMES AND SARAH HANDFORD; HUSBAND OF HANNAH HANDFORD, OF BIRCH VIEW, BIRCH VALE. BORN AT HAYFIELD. BURIED HAYFIELD CHURCH CEMETERY.

JAMES DUCKWORTH, AIRMAN 3^RD CLASS,136474. RECRUITS DEPOT. ROYAL AIR FORCE. DIED OF PNEUMONIA 28^TH JUNE 1918. AGED 35. HUSBAND OF MRS F. PARKINS (FORMERLY DUCKWORTH), OF CHURCH STREET, HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED SALFORD (WEASTE) CEMETERY.

JOHN C. SHORROCKS, PRIVATE. DIED OF WOUNDS 1^ST OCTOBER 1916. AGE 30. ONLY SON OF MRS SHORROCKS OF MARSDEN, FORMERLY OF HAYFIELD. A SCHOLAR OF THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. JOHN'S FAMILY MOVED TO MARSDEN WHERE HE ENLISTED IN 1915. BEFORE GOING TO FRANCE IN APRIL 1916, JOHN VISITED HAYFIELD TO LOOK UP HIS MATES AMONG WHOM HE WAS VERY POPULAR. JOHN WAS WOUNDED IN THE FOREHEAD ON THE 4^TH OF JULY. HE RECOVERED, BUT DIED OF OTHER WOUNDS ON THE 1^ST OCTOBER.

NEW MILLS WORLD WAR TWO LOSSES

Maybe you didn't want to frighten me.

Now it's too late.

Now I'd ask you shamelessly.

But then I felt ashamed.

What was my shame?

Why couldn't I have borne to hear you telling what you underwent?

Ted Hughes

DERYCK ASTLEY NORRIS-JORDAN, 2^ND LIEUTENANT, BORDER REGIMENT. KILLED IN NOVEMBER 1940. AGED 22. SON OF MR AND MRS C. F. NORRIS-JORDAN OF "CALDY" WOODBOURNE ROAD, NEWTOWN. FAMILY HAD LIVED IN NEW MILLS SINCE 1922. DERYCK WHO WAS MARRIED, WAS EDUCATED AT ROYAL LANCASTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WHERE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE OFFICER TRAINING CORP FOR THREE YEARS. IT SEEM THAT DERYCK DID NOT SPEND MUCH TIME IN NEW MILLS DUE TO HIS BEING AWAY AT SCHOOL. HE WAS A MEMBER OF MANCHESTER ATHENAEUM DRAMATIC SOCIETY AND WAS VERY KEEN ON ACTING. DERYCK WHO HAD ONLY RECENTLY TRANSFERRED FROM THE SHERWOOD FORESTERS. DIED IN AN ACCIDENT. IT SEEMS THAT A HEAVY IRON DOOR FELL ON HIM. BURIED IN DISLEY PARISH CHURCHYARD.

RONALD BAINES, 7378303 PRIVATE, 141FIELD AMBULANCE. ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. KILLED 2^ND DECEMBER 1943. AGED 27. ONLY SON OF JOSEPH AND JESSIE BAINES OF DYE HOUSE LANE. RONALD WAS EMPLOYED AT HIGH LANE BRICK WORKS. HE ATTENDED THE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL AND WAS AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBER OF THE BOYS BRIGADE. RONALD HAD BEEN SERVING WITH THE CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN FORCES FOR TWO YEARS BURIED SANGRO RIVER WAR CEMETERY.

SAMUEL COOPER BATES, PRIVATE, SECOND BATTALION CHESHIRE REGIMENT. LOST IN THE SS SCILLINON THE 14^TH OF NOVEMBER 1942. AGE 25. SON OF SAMUEL AND JEMINA E. BATES OF THORNSETT; HUSBAND OF ENA BATES OF HURST LEA ROAD. SAMUEL WAS BY TRADE A STONEMASON WHEN HE JOINED UP HE WAS EMPLOYED BY MESSRS MARKLAND OF ROMILEY. WHILST SERVING IN THE MIDDLE EAST SAMUEL WAS REPORTED MISSING. AFTER A PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY, NEWS CAME VIA A RADIO BROADCAST FROM ROME THAT HE WAS A PRISONER OF THE ITALIANS. BROADCASTING THE NAMES OF PRISONERS AND THEIR MESSAGES WAS A PROPAGANDA EXERCISE. RELATIVES WOULD LISTEN EAGERLY FOR THE NAMES AND MESSAGES OF LOVED ONES WHICH WOULD BE MIXED WITH ITEMS THAT THE ITALIAN PROPAGANDA MACHINE WANTED THEM TO HEAR.

IT APPEARS, IN A CRUEL TWIST OF FATE, THAT SAMUEL AND MANY OTHER PRISONERS WERE LOST AT SEA WHILST BEING TRANSPORTED OUT OF NORTH AFRICA ABOARD AN UNMARKED PRISON SHIP IN AN ITALIAN CONVOY. IT WAS BELIEVED AT THE TIME THAT THEIR SHIP WAS ATTACKED AND SUNK BY ALLIED FORCES. MANY PRISONER WERE LOST. COMMEMORATED ALAMEIN MEMORIAL, EGYPT.

CYRIL BOWDEN, BOMBADIER, ROYAL ARTILLERY. KILLED 24^TH JANUARY 1945. AGED 29. SON OF MR F. BOWDEN OF LOW LEIGHTON; HUSBAND OF EDITH BOWDEN. EMPLOYED AS A PENTOGRAPHER AT MESSRS CAMPBELLS ENGRAVING WORKS. CYRIL WAS CONNECTED TO THE PARISH CHURCH WHERE HE WAS AN ENTHUSIASTIC BELL RINGER. CYRIL ENLISTED IN EARLY 1940 AND WENT TO FRANCE SOON AFTER D-DAY. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION IN HOLLAND. CYRIL'S FATHER HAD SERVED IN BOTH THE SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN(BOER WAR) AND THE FIRST WORLD WAR.

BERNARD BROE. 1450090 SERGEANT (W. OP/Air Gnr) ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE. KILLED 26^TH MAY 1944. AGE 22. SON OF HAROLD EDWARD AND ELSIE BROE OF PARK ROAD. BEFORE ENLISTING BERNARD WAS EMPLOYED AS AN APPRENTICE SKETCHMAN AT MESSRS CAMPBELL AND CO's ENGRAVING WORKS IN NEW MILLS. HE WAS A WELL KNOWN FOOTBALLER WHO PLAYED OUTSIDE-RIGHT FOR NEW MILLS AFC IN THE MANCHESTER AMATEUR LEAGUE. BERNARD HAD SHOWN ENOUGH PROMISE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A CAREER IN THE GAME. HE WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE PARISH CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. BERNARD HAD TAKEN WELL TO THE RAF AND HIS PROMOTION WAS RAPID AND HE HAD BEEN ON OPERATIONAL FLYING FOR TWELVE MONTHS. BERNARD WAS ABOARD LANCASTER L7578 OF No5 LANCASTER FINISHING SCHOOL, BASED AT SYERSTON, WHEN IT DIVED INTO THE GROUND NEAR THE VILLAGE OF GONALSTON WHILST ON A TRAINING FLIGHT. THE CREW OF SEVEN PERISHED. A MEMORIAL STONE PAID FOR BY THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED NOW MARKS THE PLACE OF THE CRASH. BERNARD AND THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CREW ARE BURIED IN NEWARK CEMETERY.

JAMES BROOME PRIVATE, ARGYLE AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS. KILLED IN ACTION 12^TH MAY 1944. AGE 29. SON OF MR JAMES BROOME OF DISLEY. MARRIED TO MISS BERESFORD OF ST. ALBAN'S STREET, NEW MILLS. EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. JAMES PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR DISLEY AFC, HE WAS ALSO A WELL KNOWN SWIMMER. ENLISTED IN 1940 AND WENT OVERSEAS IN OCTOBER 1943.

LESLIE ALFRED CAREY 6984811 PRIVATE, 2^ND BATTALION. YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT. DIED 27^TH MARCH 1944. AGED 32. SON OF JESSE AND ELLEN CAREY OF BUXTON; HUSBAND OF OLGA CAREY OF NEW MILLS. LESLIE SERVED HIS TIME AS A PAINTER AND DECORATOR IN BUXTON. HE CAME TO NEW MILLS TO WORK FOR MESSRS ALSOP AND CLAYTON. DURING WHICH TIME HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE MOUNT PLEASANT METHODIST CHOIR AND LOCAL AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY AND APPEARED IN MANY SHOWS. HAVING MARRIED MISS OLGA STANWAY LESLIE MOVED TO JOIN HIS FAMILY IN NEWARK. WHILST THERE HE JOINED THE ARMY AND HAD BEEN OVERSEAS SINCE AUGUST 1941. KILLED IN THE INDIAN THEATRE OF WAR. BURIED TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY. MYANMAR.

HARRY CARTHY, SICK BERTH ATTENDANT. P/MX 80977. H.M.S. ITCHEN; ROYAL NAVY. KILLED THURSDAY, 23^RD SEPTEMBER 1943 AGE 34. SON OF JAMES AND LUCY CARTHY; HUSBAND OF FLORENCE CARTHY OF LOW LEIGHTON. HARRY AND HIS WIFE WERE LIVING IN BIRMINGHAM. THEY WERE BOMBED OUT AND CAME TO LIVE WITH HARRY'S SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW ON THE ARDEN ESTATE. HARRY MADE MANY FRIENDS HERE DURING HIS PERIODS OF LEAVE. HARRY WAS PRESUMED LOST AT SEA AFTER THE H.M.S. ITCHEN WAS ATTACKED AND SUNK BY A U-BOAT. COMMEMORATED PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, HAMPSHIRE.

WALTER COFFEY PRIVATE, SHERWOOD FORESTERS, ANTI AIRCRAFT BATTERY, ROYAL ENGINEERS (T.F.). AUGUST 1939. AGED 31. LIVED ON JUBILEE STREET WITH HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN. WALTER HAD BEEN EMPLOYED ON THE RAILWAY AT NEWTOWN BEFORE JOINING THE TERRITORIALS AS A DISPATCH RIDER IN 1935. WALTER, AND A PASSENGER CORPORAL JEBB OF CHAPEL STREET, WERE FOUND NEAR A DAMAGED MOTOR CYCLE BY A GROUP OF TERRITORIALS RETURNING TO A CAMP IN EAST YORKSHIRE. WALTER WAS DEAD AND CORPORAL ALAN JEBB WAS LYING INJURED CLOSEBY.

HARRY CONWAY 7373733 PRIVATE, 160 FIELD AMBULANCE. ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. DIED AS THE RESULT OF INJURIES 4^TH FEBUARY 1944. AGED 26. SON OF JOHN GILBERT AND EDITH CONWAY OF LOW LEIGHTON. HARRY WAS A SCHOLAR OF NEW MILLS COUNCIL SCHOOL, HE WON A DERBYSHIRE SCHOLARSHIP TO NEW MILLS COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL. ON LEAVING SCHOOL HE WAS EMPLOYED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. ATTENDED THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL. HARRY WAS A KEEN SPORTSMAN WHO ENJOYED BADMINTON, FOOTBALL, TENNIS AND CRICKET. HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY. IN 1940 HARRY JOINED THE ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORP. IT APPEARS THAT HARRY WAS FATALLY INJURED WHEN AN ARMY TRUCK OVER TURNED IN EAST ANGLIA.COMMEMORATED IN THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BURIAL GROUND.

GEORGE COOPER, GUNNER, 1609557. 241 BATTERY; H.A.A. REGIMENT, ROYAL ARTILLERY. KILLED 4^TH MARCH 1943. AGED 32. ONLY SON OF MRS ADA COOPER OF 106, LANESIDE ROAD. EMPLOYED AT FURNESS VALE PRINTWORKS. GEORGE ENLISTED IN 1941 AND AFTER TRAINING WAS POSTED TO THE FAR EAST. IT WAS WHILST GEORGE WAS TRAVELLING EAST ABOARD A TROOPSHIP IN JANUARY 1942 THAT HIS MOTHER RECEIVED HER LAST LETTER FROM HIM. HE WAS POSTED MISSING IN MARCH 1943, AND IT SEEMS REASONABLE TO PRESUME THAT HE FELL IN THE ILL FATED DEFENCE OF SINGAPORE. COMMEMORATED KRANJI WAR CEMETERY, SINGAPORE.

JOHN ALFRED CRITCHLOW 4460185 PRIVATE, 1^ST BATTALION. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT. DIED OF WOUNDS 21^ST MAY 1944. AGED 24. SON OF HENRY AND HANNAH CRITCHLOW OF MARSH LANE. EMPLOYED AT THE GARRISON BLEACH AND DYEWORKS BEFORE JOINING THE ARMY IN 1940. JOHN WHO HAD BEEN OVERSEAS FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE PROVIDENCE CONGREGATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. HE WAS VERY FOND OF FOOTBALL. ONE OF FOUR BROTHERS. COMMEMORATED ON THE RANGOON MEMORIAL. MYANMAR.

JOHN JOSEPH CUFFE, PRIVATE, 2934794. QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS. KILLED SUNDAY, 12^TH MARCH 1944. AGE 28. SON OF JOHN AND MARY CUFFE OF TORR TOP STREET. HUSBAND OF DORIS CUFFE OF BRIDGE STREET. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. ASSOCIATED WITH ST MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH WHERE HE WAS A DEVOTED MEMBER. A NATIVE OF HAYFIELD JOHN HAD LIVED IN NEW MILLS ABOUT EIGHT YEARS. HE JOINED THE ARMY IN 1940 AND HAD BEEN OVERSEAS ONLY ABOUT FOUR MONTHS. COMMEMORATED CASINO WAR CEMETERY, ITALY.

HAROLD DAWSON 7615178 PRIVATE. 1/5^TH WELSH REGIMENT. KILLED 26^TH AUGUST 1944. AGED 26. SON OF THE LATE JOHN AND MARY DAWSON; NEPHEW AND WARD OF JAMES AND MELINDA GODDARD OF MARSH LANE. EMPLOYED AT WHITEHALL BLEACH AND DYEWORKS, CHINLEY. SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. HAROLD JOINED THE ARMY IN OCTOBER 1939 AND WENT TO FRANCE WITH THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. HE WAS EVACUATED FROM DUNKIRK. ON D-DAY HAROLD RETURNED TO FRANCE WITH THE INVASION FORCE. BURIED BANNEVILLE-LA-CAMPAGNE WAR CEMETERY-CALVADOS.

VINCENT DUXBURY. DFC. 127141 FLIGHT LIEUTENANT (PILOT). ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE, KILLED ON THE 1^ST OCTOBER 1943. AGED 22. SON OF MR AND MRS DUXBURY OF WATFORD BRIDGE ROAD. A NATIVE OF GLOSSOP VINCENT HAD SPENT TWO PERIODS OF HIS LIFE IN NEW MILLS. AS A BOY HE HAD ATTENDED SCHOOL HERE AND IN 1938 HIS PARENTS MOVED HERE TO LIVE ON WATFORD BRIDGE ROAD. HIS MAIN EDUCATION WAS GAINED AT GLOSSOP GRAMMER SCHOOL WHERE HE CAPTAINED THE SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AND LED THE SCHOOL DANCE BAND. HE PLAYED THE SAXOPHONE. AFTER PASSING THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAM VINCENT ENTERED THE INLAND REVENUE AT NOTTINGHAM. WHEN HE ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18, VINCENT JOINED THE ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE AND HAD ALREADY DONE SOME TRAINING WHEN THE WAR BROKE OUT. HIS RISE THROUGH THE RANKS WAS RAPID. WHILST A PILOT OFFICER IN NOVEMBER 1942 VINCENT HAD RECEIVED THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS FROM KING GEORGE IN A CEREMONY AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. VINCENT WHO HAD TAKEN PART IN 65 OPERATIONAL FLIGHTS WAS SERVING AS AN INSTRUCTOR WITH NUMBER 1660 HEAVY CONVERSION UNIT WHEN ON THE 1^ST OCTOBER 1943, HALIFAX DG275 BROKE UP IN THE AIR NEAR BARDNEY, WHILST ON A ROUTINE TRAINING FLIGHT. BURIED ST GERMAIN CHURCHYARD, THURLBY, LINCOLNSHIRE.

MARGARET FERGUSON GALBRAITH W/121432 CORPORAL, AUXILIARY TERRITORIAL SERVICE. DIED 11^TH MAY 1943. AGED 23. DAUGHTER OF JAMES AND MARGARET GALBRAITH OF MEADOW NOOK, BIRCH VALE. MARGARET WORKED IN THE OFFICE OF NEW MILLS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. ATTENDED THORNSETT INDEPENDENT CHAPEL. MARGARET WAS A KEEN TENNIS PLAYER AND A MEMBER OF FURNESS VALE TENNIS CLUB. WHILST SERVING IN GREAT YARMOUTH MARGARET AND TWENTY FOUR OTHER A.T.S GIRLS WERE KILLED BY A BOMB DROPPED FROM AN ENEMY AIRCRAFT ON AN HIT AND RUN RAID. BURIED GREAT YARMOUTH (CAISTER) CEMETERY, NORFOLK.

FRED GEE, TROOPER, ROYAL TANK CORP. KILLED 19^TH JULY 1943. AGE 32. ONLY SON OF MR AND MRS FRED GEE OF BIRCH VALE; HUSBAND OF HILDA GEE. EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS WHERE HE WAS AN ASSISTANT COLOURIST. FRED ATTENDED EVENING CLASSES AT NEW MILLS TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND MANCHESTER COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY. HE WAS HOLDER OF THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN CHEMISTRY. FRED'S GREAT LOVE WAS MUSIC. HE WAS DEPUTY CONDUCTOR OF BIRCH VALE MALE VOICE CHOIR AND THE ACCOMPANIST. HIS WORK AS AN ACCOMPANIST EARNED HIM GREAT APPRECIATION FROM SINGERS AND IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM IN THE PRESENCE OF THE AUDIENCE TO SHAKE HIM BY THE HAND. CRICKETERS THROUGHOUT THE HIGH PEAK KNEW FRED AS AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBER OF THE BIRCH VALE TEAM. FRED WAS AN OCCASIONAL ORGANIST AT ST. JOHN'S METHODIST CHURCH, HAYFIELD. FRED HAD A LONG ASSOCIATION WITH THE ZION METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL WHERE HE WAS SUPERINTENDENT. HE PRODUCED MANY MUSICAL SHOWS, FOR WHICH THE ZION WAS WELL KNOWN. WHILST IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRED AND HIS FRIEND WILLIE DOUGHTY WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO VISIT JERUSALEM AND MANY OF THE PLACES WHICH THEY HAD SO OFTEN HEARD REFERRED TO IN THE BIBLE. ENLISTED IN 1941 AND JOINED THE EIGHTH ARMY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. FRED TOOK PART IN THE FINAL BATTLES IN TUNISIA, AND ON THE 10^TH OF JULY 1943 THE INVASION OF SICILY. HE DIED IN THE FIGHTING IN SICILY.

HAROLD C. GRUNDY WARRANT OFFICER, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE. SON OF MR AND MRS C. E. GRUNDY. THE MARRIED WARRANT OFFICER GRUNDY HAD MADE HIS HOME IN WALDERSLADE NEAR MAIDSTONE, KENT. GRANDSON OF THE WELL KNOWN WESLEYAN PREACHER ABEL GRUNDY. HAROLD WON THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL WHILST SERVING IN AFRICA.

JOAN HANDFORD CIVILIAN, KILLED 3^RD JULY 1942. AGED 10. VICTIM OF THE AIR RAID ON THE 3^RD OF JULY 1942.

WILLIAM JOS HARTLE 4399820 LANCE CORPORAL, 6^TH BATTALION GREEN HOWARD'S (YORKSHIRE REGIMENT). KILLED 11^TH JUNE 1944.AGED 21. SON OF JOSEPH AND RUTH HARTLE OF MEAL STREET. EMPLOYED AS AN ENGINEER AT BRUNSWICK CONFECTIONERY WORKS (SWIZZLES MATLOWS). WILLIAM WAS VERY FOND OF MUSIC AND PLAYED THE EUPHONIUM IN NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE BAND WHEN AS A BODY IT ENLISTED IN THE HOME GUARD. A MOVE MIRRORING THE ENLISTING OF THE BAND IN 1914. JOINED THE ARMY IN APRIL 1942. WILLIAM SERVED IN SICILY FOR A TIME BEFORE RETURNING TO BRITAIN DURING THE BUILD UP TO THE INVASION OF EUROPE. ON D-DAY HE WAS AMONGST THE FIRST TROOPS ASHORE. WILLIAM WAS FATALLY WOUNDED IN NORMANDY. BURIED BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY, CALVADOS.

SAMUEL HEWITT, TROOPER, 18^TH (5^TH BATTALION. THE LOYAL REGIMENT.) REGIMENT; RECONNAISSANCE CORPS. DIED MONDAY, 3^RD JANUARY 1944. AGE 28. SON OF MR AND MRS PERCY HEWITT, OF CHURCH ROAD; HUSBAND OF MRS V. HEWITT. EMPLOYED AS A BUTCHER WITH NEW MILLS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. ENLISTED IN 1939 AND POSTED TO INDIA IN OCTOBER 1941. TRANSFERRED TO MALAYA. SAMUEL WAS POSTED MISSING ON THE 15^TH FEBUARY 1942, THE FALL OF SINGAPORE. IT APPEARS THAT HE WAS WOUNDED AND TAKEN PRISONER BY THE JAPANESE. SAMUEL'S FAMILY LEARNED NOTHING OF HIM FOR SOME TIME THEN CAME NEWS THAT HE WAS A PRISONER OF WAR. SAMUEL IS COMMEMORATED AT THANBYUZAYAT WAR CEMETERY, MYANMAR (BURMA). THE FACT THAT SAMUEL IS BURIED HERE ALMOST CERTAINLY MEANS THAT HE WAS ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF ALLIED PRISONERS FORCED BY THE JAPANESE TO WORK ON THE INFAMOUS BURMA RAILWAY. THE NUMBER OF BURIALS AT THANBYUZAYAT ALONE TOTALS 3,771.

CYRIL HEYWOOD 137313 PILOT OFFICER,(NAVIGATOR), ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE, 29 SQUADRON. KILLED 21^ST JANUARY 1943. AGED 26. SON OF MR AND MRS J. HEYWOOD, OF CHAPEL STREET, NEWTOWN. EMPLOYED AT WATERSIDE PAPER MILL, BEFORE MOVING TO WORK IN THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY IN STOCKPORT. CYRIL'S MAIN HOBBY WAS SWIMMING. AFTER ENLISTING IN THE RAF CYRIL'S PROGRESS WAS RAPID. HIS COMMANDING OFFICER WROTE " HE WAS VERY POPULAR AND WE ADMIRED HIM FOR HIS FINE QUALITIES OF FEARLESSNESS, UNSELFISHNESS AND SELF SACRIFICE." IT APPEARS THAT CYRIL LOST HIS LIFE FOLLOWING AN AIR BATTLE OVER THE SEA. HE IS COMMEMORATED AT RUNNYMEDE WHERE THE NAMES OF AIRMEN WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE ARE RECORDED.

JACK INGRAM ROYAL NAVY, H.M.S. HOOD. KILLED 24^TH MAY 1941. A BACHELOR OF DALE ROAD, JACK WAS EMPLOYED AS A POSTMAN. .JACK WAS A MEMBER OF THE NAVAL RESERVE BEFORE THE WAR. HE WAS CALLED UP AT THE TIME OF THE MUNICH NEGOTIATIONS, BUT WAS SENT HOME AGAIN. ON THE DECLARATION OF WAR JACK WAS CALLED FOR SERVICE AGAIN AND HAD BEEN IN THE NAVY EVER SINCE. HE WAS ABOARD A TORPEDOED WARSHIP BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO H.M.S. HOOD. THE FATE OF H.M.S. HOOD IS WELL KNOWN. ON THE MORNING OF 24^TH MAY 1941 AS THE HOOD WAS PREPARING TO FIRE ON THE GERMAN FLAGSHIP BISMARCK SHE TOOK A SALVO FROM THE GERMANS 15 INCH GUNS AND BLEW UP. OF HER CREW OF 95 OFFICERS AND 1,324 MEN ONLY THREE SURVIVED.

HAROLD LOMAS, 151 BATTERY, 51 LIGHT AA REGIMENT; ROYAL ARTILLERY. KILLED IN ACTION 22^ND APRIL 1943. AGED 34. SON OF THE LATE MR AND MRS LOMAS OF 20, CHAPEL STREET, NEW MILLS; HUSBAND OF DOROTHY LOMAS OF RHYL. EMPLOYED FOR TWENTY YEARS BY NEW MILLS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, STARTING AS A BOY AND BEING AN ASSISTANT IN THE GROCERY BRANCH ON BUXTON ROAD WHEN HE JOINED UP IN 1940. HAROLD WAS A CLEVER ARTIST AND HAD TAKEN PART IN A NUMBER OF COMPETITIONS IN WHICH HE HAD WON PRIZES. COMMEMORATED MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY, TUNISIA.

HERBERT LOMAS, LANCE CORPORAL, MANCHESTER REGIMENT. DIED WHILST A PRISONER OF WAR IN GERMANY 6^TH SEPTEMBER 1943. AGED 29. SON OF MR AND MRS PERCY LOMAS OF 10, ROCK STREET. HERBERT PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR THE HIGH LEA TEAM. HE MARRIED MISS WHARMBY BEFORE GOING OVER SEAS WITH THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. HERBERT WAS TAKEN PRISONER DURING THE EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK. A MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS HELD FOR HERBERT AT ST. GEORGE'S ROAD METHODIST CHURCH FOLLOWING THE NEWS OF HIS DEATH.

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                                 WAR SAVINGS WEEKS

Thoughout the Second World War the public were asked to save and donate money towards the war effort. There were many and various methods employed by the authorities to encourage the public in this. Chief amongst them were the Wings for Victory week, Salute the Soldier week and Warship Week. New Mills and Hayfield both took part in these savings drives. Hayfields achievements were very impressive, in 1941the village attempted to fund three spitfires and raised enough to fund seven. In 1942 the village adopted H.M. Motor Launch 131. In 1943 the target was a Beaufighter, the village provided two. In 1944 it was the turn of the soldier, Hayfield raised enough to equip and support an infantry platoon. Over £200,000 in five years. Each of these achievements was mirrored in New Mills. Warship week resulted in the adoption of H.M.S. Spaniard, following the collecting of £58,000. The target for Wings week was £40,000 the cost of a Lancaster, the sum raised was £74,000. Amongst the many events organized during the week, 15-22 May 1943 was a parade to the Secondary School playing field by upward of a thousand people. Whilst the parade was on the field a Lancaster Bomber made several flights overhead and dipped a salute to the crowd. On the market ground at the top of Union Road, bombs of various sizes up to 4000 lbs. were displayed to the awe of the public. Salute the Soldier week resulted in the total raised in New Mills rising to over half a million pounds.

The reward for each of these successful campaigns was a plaques to commemorate the achievement. Photographs of the Salute the Soldier, Wings for Victory and Warship Week plaques are contained within this book These were found wrapped in newspaper dated 1949. Those presented to Hayfield would have been identical, except for the inscription on the Admiralty plaque, which also differs in that it is cast of Iron. The New Mills plaque which was displayed in Messrs Sayers window on Market Street, in 1942 reads:- "PRESENTED BY THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY TO NEW MILLS URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL TO COMMEMORATE THE ADOPTION OF H.M.S. SPANIARD DURING WARSHIP WEEK FEBUARY 1942"

There was an added bonus to the Warship Week, the chance to adopt a ship. As mentioned above following a successful campaign New Mills adopted H.M.S. Spaniard an anti-submarine trawler, purchased by the Royal Navy in August 1939. She saw service off Freetown, Sierra Leone, carrying out escort duties. Unfortunately for the people of New Mills before the exchange of Plaques was completed H.M.S. SPANIARD was sunk following an explosion at Apapa, Lagos on the 5^th December 1942. The Admiralty War Diary stated:-"At about 0915z today a disastrous explosion at Apapa, probably in the magazines of trawlers refitting alongside and caused by petrol in the harbour from civil sources becoming ignited. H.M. Trawlers BENGALI, CANNA and SPANIARD were sunk and KELT was wrecked. The dockyard was badly damaged and is out of action." On the 8^th of December more details appeared in the War Diary "unlikely BENGALI, SPANIARD, CANNA can be salved but wrecks must be moved to clear the wharf and channel. Great difficulty anticipated in doing this with local appliances." The casualties were estimated as 1 officer, 17 men and 3 kroomen ( a term generally used to describe native West African Naval ratings and dockyard workers). A plaque had been prepared ready to send out to the crew of SPANIARD, but of course this exchange never occurred. Though it was hoped that the Admiralty might give the name to another vessel.

Hayfield adopted H.M. Motor Launch 131 following their own Warship Week in March 1942. In May 1943 the Admiralty plaque arrived in Hayfield. The Parish Council were to be its custodians. Hayfield enjoyed an excellent relationship with Captain Fullerton and the crew of ML 131. A plaque was designed and sent to the ship where it was received with great enthusiasm. Hayfield also sent the crew of ML 131 a wireless set for their entertainment and a photograph of the village which the crew hung in their mess. Strong bonds developed between the two and the people of Hayfield sent the crew many comforts. In appreciation of this friendship the crew of ML131 sent to the people of Hayfield a model of their ship this was described as "a beautiful piece of work, a perfect model of the ship and all parts in proportion. Everything on the ship's deck can be seen, the number of the ship, the depth charges she carries, the smoke floats, the lifeboat, with oars complete, and the davits for swinging it into the sea in case of need. There are the winches, the anchor, the guns, the hatches, the white ensign, even the guard rails and the sea wash in the wake of the ship." The model and Hayfields Wings for Victory plaque were displayed in the window of Mrs Hallams shop on Market Street.

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EDWARD MILLER, PRIVATE, 7517870. ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORP. KILLED IN ACTION 26^TH JUNE 1944. NORTH WEST FRANCE ON THE 5^TH JULY 1944. AGED 24. LIVED WITH HIS SISTER AT 17, DERBY ROAD, HIGH HILL. EDWARD WAS EMPLOYED AT GROVE PAPER MILL PRIOR TO JOINING UP. ASSOCIATED WITH ST. LUKES CHURCH. ENLISTED IN 1942. COMMEMORATED LA DELIVRANDE WAR CEMETERY, DOUVRES, CALVADOS, FRANCE.

LEONARD FRED MITCHELL, RADIO OFFICER, BRITISH OVERSEAS AIRWAYS CORPORATION. DIED AT SEA 23^RD MARCH 1943. AGED 26. HUSBAND OF WINNIE MITCHELL, (NEE TAYLOR) OF HIGH LEA. LEONARD SPENT HIS EARLY DAYS LIVING WITH HIS AUNT MISS PAGH, HEADMISTRESS OF NEW MILLS INFANT SCHOOL. HE ATTENDED THE COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL. LEONARD HAD ALWAYS HAD AN INTEREST IN RADIO AND ON LEAVING SCHOOL DECIDED TO MAKE IT HIS CAREER. LEONARD WAS AN EXPERIENCED AIRMAN WHO HAD THE GREAT DISTINCTION OF HAVING BEEN THE RADIO OFFICER ON ONE OF PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL'S HISTORIC FLIGHTS TO MEET WITH PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. LEONARD WAS BURIED WITH MILITARY HONOURS IN NEW MILLS PARISH CHURCHYARD ON THE 12^TH APRIL.

ERIC MOHN 4458979 PRIVATE, 9^TH BATTALION, DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. 27^TH JUNE 1942.AGED 22. ELDEST SON OF HAROLD AND LILLIAN MOHN OF HAYFIELD ROAD. ERIC, WHO WORKED IN THE FINISHING DEPARTMENT OF BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS, JOINED THE ARMY IN 1940 AND HAD BEEN IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR ABOUT TWELVE MONTHS. HE WAS A MEMBER OF BIRCH VALE CRICKET CLUB AND A PROMISING BATSMAN. CONNECTED WITH ST LUKE'S CHURCH. ERIC'S HOBBY WAS FRETWORK AND HE IS REPORTED TO HAVE DONE SOME VERY ARTISTIC WORK. FOLLOWING NEWS OF ERIC'S DEATH CRICKETERS FROM DOVE HOLES JOINED WITH THOSE OF BIRCH VALE IN A TOUCHING TRIBUTE, STANDING ON THE PITCH FOR TWO MINUTES SILENCE BEFORE THEIR MATCH. BURIED EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY, EGYPT.

SAMUEL MOORCROFT GUNNER, 68 MEDIUM REGIMENT. ROYAL ARTILLERY. LOST AT SEA IN THE S.S. SCILLINON ON THE 14^TH NOVEMBER 1942. AGE 25. SON OF WILLIAM AND NELLIE MOORCROFT OF JODRELL STREET; HUSBAND OF EDITH MOORCROFT OF CHERRY TREE COTTAGES, MEAL STREET. PRIOR TO JOINING UP SAMUEL WAS EMPLOYED AT WATFORD BRIDGE PRINTWORKS. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER IN NORTH AFRICA BY THE ITALIANS IN 1942 AND WHILST BEING TRANSPORTED ABOARD THE SS SCILLINON WAS LOST AT SEA. THE WAR DEPARTMENT WROTE TO MRS MOORCROFT "HAVING IN MIND THE FACT THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN HEARD OF YOUR HUSBAND SINCE HE LEFT AFRICA, THE DEPARTMENT HAS, WITH DEEP REGRET, REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE CAN NO LONGER HOPE THAT HE HAS SURVIVED. IT IS CONSEQUENTLY BEING RECORDED THAT GUNNER MOORCROFT IS PRESUMED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED AT SEA WHILE A PRISONER OF WAR". SAMUEL BATES DIED IN THE SAME ITALIAN TRANSPORT. COMMEMORATED ON THE ALAMEIN MEMORIAL. EGYPT.

DANIEL MCKELLAR, CIVILIAN. DIED 4^TH JULY 1942. AGE 79. LIVED AT 2 HIGHFIELD TERRACE, LOW LEIGHTON. DIED AS THE RESULT OF THE AIR RAID ON THE 3^RD JULY 1942.

ERIC WARD OAKES, LANCE SERJEANT, 3605133. 9^TH BATTALION; BORDER REGIMENT KILLED IN ACTION ON THE INDIA- BURMA BORDER ON SUNDAY,14^TH MAY 1944. AGED 25. SON OF ROY AND MARY OAKES OF BIRCH VALE TERRACE, THORNSETT. EMPLOYED AT THE GARRISON BLEACH AND DYE WORKS. ERIC HAD A GREAT LOVE OF SINGING AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR OF THORNSETT METHODIST CHURCH AND OF THE CO-OPERATIVE MALE VOICE CHOIR. HE WAS ALSO AN ENTHUSIASTIC SWIMMER. ENLISTED IN 1940. ERIC WAS NAMED AFTER HIS UNCLE WHO HAD FALLEN IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR. COMMEMORATED IMPHAL WAR CEMETERY, INDIA .

ERIC LISTER PENNINGTON FLIGHT SERGEANT, ROYAL AIR FORCE. MISSING PRESUMED DEAD 24^TH AUGUST 1943. AGED 30. SON OF MR AND MRS E.M. PENNINGTON OF PENNINE ROAD, WOODLEY. ATTENDED STOCKPORT SECONDARY SCHOOL. ERIC WAS VERY FOND OF SPORT AND HAD PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR ROMILEY AND ALSO FOR THE SQUADRON TEAM WHILST IN THE RAF. EMPLOYED BY THE PRUDENTIAL ASSURANCE CO. AT STOCKPORT. AFTER MARRYING MISS BLANCHE GUEST ERIC MADE HIS HOME IN NEW MILLS. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE LOCAL AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY. HIS SQUADRON LEADER WROTE TO ERIC'S WIDOW "YOUR HUSBAND ALWAYS SHOWED GREAT KEENNESS AND ENTHUSIASM FOR HIS WORK, WHICH COUPLED WITH HIS HIGH STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY, WENT TO MAKE HIM ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING MEMBERS OF THE SQUADRON."

WILLIAM PLANT 2127049 SAPPER,16 BOMB DISPOSAL COMPANY. ROYAL ENGINEERS. KILLED 28^TH APRIL 1942. AGED 32.

SON OF WILLIAM AND SARAH A. PLANT OF CHERRY TREE COTTAGES; HUSBAND OF MAVIS PLANT. BEFORE ENLISTING WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED ON THE L.M.S. RAILWAY AND PRIOR TO THAT WORKED AT GROVE PAPER MILL. HE HAD BEEN IN THE ARMY FOR TWO YEARS. IT APPEARS THAT THE DEATH OF WILLIAM PLANT WAS THE RESULT OF A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. WHILST UNDERGOING BOMB DISPOSAL INSTRUCTION FROM CAPTAIN GEOFFREY GARRET, WHO WAS AN AUTHOR IN CIVILIAN LIFE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. DURING THE INQUEST INTO THE ACCIDENT WHICH CLAIMED THE LIFE OF WILLIAM PLANT AND EIGHTEEN OTHERS LIEUTENANT HALLEY STATED THAT HE WAS CALLED TO THE TELEPHONE WHILST THE INSTRUCTION WAS BEEN GIVEN. WHILST AT THE TELEPHONE HE HEARD TWO LOUD EXPLOSIONS. ON RETURNING HE FOUND THAT THE PLACE HAD BEEN DEMOLISHED. THOSE WHO DIED WERE DRAWN FROM SCOTTISH REGIMENTS, THE ROYAL ENGINEERS AND PIONEERS. BURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS AT PEMBROKE DOCK MILITARY CEMETERY, PEMBROKESHIRE.

FRED PLATT 3393148 GUNNER, MARITIME REGIMENT. ROYAL ARTILLERY. MISSING PRESUMED LOST AT SEA 7^TH FEBUARY 1943. AGED 32. SON OF JOHN AND MARY ANN PLATT OF HIGH LEA; HUSBAND OF EVA PLATT OF HIGH HILL ROAD. EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS. FRED WAS CONNECTED WITH ST GEORGE'S METHODIST CHURCH. ENLISTED IN NOVEMBER 1940. COMMEMORATED PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL- HAMPSHIRE.

JOSEPH PRITCHARD 1809068 GUNNER, 49 BATTERY; 49 LT. A. A. REGIMENT. ROYAL ARTILLERY. DIED 14^TH JULY 1945. AGED 24. SON OF GEORGE EDEN AND ELSIE PRITCHARD OF BANKSIDE, NEW MILLS. APPRENTICED TO A FIRM OF BUILDER IN HYDE. JOSEPH PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH HIGH LEA IN THE OLD NEW MILLS JUNIOR LEAGUE. JOINED UP IN 1940 AND WENT TO THE FAR EAST IN 1941. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER AT JAVA WHEN THE JAPANESE CAPTURED THE ISLAND. HIS WIDOWED MOTHER HAD RECEIVED LETTERS FROM JOSEPH AND WAS EXPECTING HIS SAFE RETURN, WHEN IN DECEMBER 1945 SHE RECEIVED A COMMUNICATION FROM HIS SERGEANT- MAJOR INFORMING HER THAT JOSEPH HAD PASSED AWAY ON THE 14^TH OF JULY 1945, OF MALNUTRITION. BURIED LABUAN WAR CEMETERY, MALAYSIA.

FRANK RATCLIFFE, SIGNALMAN, ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS. DIED 31^ST JULY 1942. AGED 27. LIVED AT 52 BRIDGE STREET. COMMEMORATED KRANJI WAR CEMETERY, SINGAPORE. FORMER MEMBER OF NEW MILLS OLD PRIZE BAND.

LEONARD RATCLIFFE 1006943 AIRCRAFTSMAN 1^ST CLASS, ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE. 84 SQUADRON. DIED 29^TH NOVEMBER 1943. AGED 29. SON OF BONUS AND EMILY MARY RATCLIFFE, BUTCHER OF LOW LEIGHTON ROAD. HUSBAND OF MARY RATCLIFFE. EMPLOYED IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS. LEONARD HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR AT THE PARISH CHURCH SINCE BOYHOOD. HE ALSO SANG IN THE BIRCH VALE MALE VOICE CHOIR AND FOR MANY YEARS WAS A MEMBER OF NEW MILLS AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY. JOINED THE RAF IN 1940 AND TOOK PART IN FIGHTING IN EGYPT, LIBYA AND GREECE BEFORE GOING TO THE FAR EAST. LEONARD WAS CAPTURED BY THE JAPANESE AT SINGAPORE. AFTER HEARING NOTHING FROM HER SON FOR TWO YEARS LEONARD'S MOTHER RECEIVED A LETTER ON THE 31^ST OF DECEMBER 1943, IN WHICH LEONARD STATED THAT HE WAS WELL AND THAT SHE SHOULD NOT WORRY. ONLY THREE WEEKS LATER SHE RECEIVED A TELEGRAM FROM THE AIR MINISTRY STATING THAT ACCORDING TO INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS LEONARD HAD DIED WHILST A PRISONER OF WAR. COMMEMORATED SINGAPORE MEMORIAL.

FREDERICK ARTHUR RAYMOND 3653926 LANCE CORPORAL. 1^ST BATTALION SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. KILLED 23^RD JUNE I944. AGED 25. SON OF WILLIAM JOHN AND CATHERINE RAYMOND OF HIGH HILL. EMPLOYED AT FERODO WORKS, CHAPEL. FREDERICK ATTENDED SPRING MOUNT METHODIST CHURCH. HE TOOK AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN THE BOYS BRIGADE MOVEMENT. BURIED BANNEVILLE-LA-CAMPAGNE WAR CEMETERY-CALVADOS.

HARRY ROBERTS C/JX250360 ORDINARY SEAMAN HARRY ROBERTS (REAL NAME ROBERT ROBERTS), LOST AT SEA WHEN THE SLOOP, H.M.S. IBIS, WAS BOMBED BY TWO JU 88s AND ONE HEINKEL 111 AND CAPSIZED 10 MILES NORTH OF ALGIERS AT 1910 HOURS ON 10^TH NOVEMBER 1942. SIX OFFICERS AND NINETY SIX RATINGS WERE PICKED UP BY H.M.S. SCYLLA FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT. O/S ROBERTS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN AMONG THE UNFORTUNATES WHO WERE KILLED DURING THE ATTACK, OR LOST WHEN THE IBIS CAPSIZED. H.M.S. IBIS WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE BROUGHT DOWN AT LEAST ONE OF THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO HER SINKING. AT THE TIME OF HER SINKING H.M.S. IBIS WAS CARRYING OUT DUTIES AS PART OF OPERATION TORCH (THE INVASION OF NORTH AFRICA).

JOHN E. ROBERTS CIVILIAN, FORMERLY A COLLIER, JOHN HAD LIVED IN NEW MILLS FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS EMPLOYED BY MESSRS JOHN. W. SWINDELLS LTD, BUILDERS. WELL KNOWN LOCALLY AS A CONCERTINA PLAYER. JOHN WAS THE FATHER OF ROBERT (HARRY) ROBERTS. JOHN WAS KILLED IN 1944 WHILST WORKING AS A SLATER AND PLASTERER ON BOMBED OUT HOUSES IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND. IT APPEARS THAT THE HOUSE IN WHICH JOHN WAS LODGING WAS HIT BY A BOMB AND DEMOLISHED, HE AND SEVERAL OTHERS WERE KILLED. IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE BOMB WAS DROPPED BY A RAIDING AIRCRAFT OR AS SEEMS MORE LIKELY WAS A V1 ROCKET.

JAMES JOSEPH RYAN 614624 SERGEANT (FLIGHT ENGINEER) JAMES JOSEPH RYAN, RAF, 149 SQUADRON, AGED 22, OF BIRCH VALE. KILLED ON THE 14^TH MAY 1943. SON OF MR L RYAN OF HIGHER NOON SUN, BIRCH VALE. JAMES WAS EMPLOYED BRIEFLY AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS BEFORE JOINING THE RAF AT THE AGE OF 17. HE WAS CONNECTED WITH ST MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. JAMES'S FATHER WAS AN AIRMAN DURING THE 1914-18 WAR. STIRLING BK726 WAS SHOT DOWN BY A NIGHT FIGHTER DURING OPERATIONS TO BOCHUM (ONE OF 29 AIRCRAFT LOST ON THAT NIGHTS OPERATION). CRASHED AT IMMERATH GERMANY. THE CREW WAS BURIED AT STADTFRIEDHOF ON THE 18^TH OF MAY. BUT ON THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES THE CREW WERE EXHUMED AND REMOVED TO THE RHEINBERG WAR CEMETERY.

RONALD SCOTT ASSISTANT STEWARD, SS CERAMIC (SOUTHAMPTON). MERCHANT NAVY. DIED 7^TH DECEMBER 1942. AGED 20 SON OF ALEXANDER WOOD SCOTT AND HILDA MARY SCOTT OF WHITLE BANK. RONALD WENT TO SEA AT 16. HE WAS IN THE SS LANCASTRIA WHEN WAR BROKE OUT AND CAME HOME IN THE FRANCONIA. RONALD PLAYED HIS PART IN THE EVACUATIONS OF ST NAZAIRE, FRANCE AND NARVIK, NORWAY. HE WAS ABOARD THE GEORGIC WHEN SHE WAS BOMBED OUT AND BURNT IN THE MIDDLE EAST. TRANSFERRED TO THE MAURITANIA. RONALD WAS AT HOME FOR A PERIOD OF SICK LEAVE JUST BEFORE NOVEMBER 1942. HE THEN JOINED THE SS CERAMIC THE SHIP IN WHICH HE AND HIS COMRADES WENT DOWN. COMMEMORATED TOWER HILL MEMORIAL- LONDON.

ARTHUR SYMONDS 1491619 SERGEANT (WIRELESS OPERATOR/ AIR GUNNER), ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE, 550 SQUADRON. KILLED ON THE 22^ND MAY 1944. AGED 21. SON OF HAROLD AND HANNAH SYMONDS PARK-KEEPERS OF HIGH LEA PARK. ARTHUR WAS EDUCATED AT STOCKPORT SECONDARY SCHOOL. HE HAD BEEN IN THE AIR FORCE FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS. PRIOR TO ENLISTING HE HAD BEEN EMPLOYED AT GROVE PAPER MILL, WHILST ALSO SERVING IN THE LOCAL HOME GUARD. POSTED MISSING FOR ELEVEN WEEKS UNTIL THE GERMAN AUTHORITIES PASSED THE NAMES OF THE DEAD CREW MEMBERS TO THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS, THROUGH THEM NEWS CAME TO ARTHUR'S PARENTS. LANCASTER LM319, BQ-A. ON OPERATIONS TO DUISBURG WAS SHOT DOWN BY A NIGHT FIGHTER AND CRASHED NEAR DULKEN. THE CREW OF SEVEN WERE BURIED AT DULKEN ON THE 24^TH MAY. NOW REINTERRED IN THE REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. AFTER THE END OF THE WAR IN 1945, THOUSANDS OF GRAVES OF SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN WERE BROUGHT FROM BURIAL PLACES IN WESTERN GERMANY TO LIE IN THE REICHSWALD. MANY OF THE SOLDIERS WHO REST THERE PERISHED IN THE GRIM BATTLE OF THE RHINELAND. SOME FOUGHT AND DIED IN THE ADVANCE THROUGH THE FOREST IN FEBUARY 1945. MANY OTHERS DIED IN THE CROSSING OF THE RHINE. NEARLY 4,000 AIRMEN ARE BURIED IN THE CEMETERY. SOME LOST THEIR LIVES IN SUPPORTING THE ADVANCE INTO GERMANY, BUT MOST DIED IN EARLIER YEARS OF THE WAR, IN THE INTENSIVE AIR ATTACKS ON GERMAN TARGETS, AND WERE BROUGHT TO THE REICHSWALD FROM CEMETERIES AND ISOLATED BURIAL PLACES IN THE NEIGHBOURING AREA.

GEORGE WILLIAM TAGUE PRIVATE, 2^ND BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS & DERBY) REGIMENT. KILLED IN FIGHTING IN NORTH AFRICA ON THE 24^TH APRIL 1943. AGE 35. SON OF MR L TAGUE OF NEW MILLS. GEORGE RESIDED IN CANAL ROW, FURNESS VALE. HE WAS WARDEN OF THE VILLAGE POST OFFICE. EMPLOYED AT FURNESS BRICK WORKS. GEORGE WAS NOTED AS AN ENTHUSIASTIC GARDENER. HE LEFT A WIDOW AND FOUR CHILDREN COMMEMORATED MASSICAULT WAR CEMETERY 25 KILOMETERS SOUTH- WEST OF TUNIS, TUNISIA.

GEORGE WILLIAM WALTON 2618526 GUARDSMAN, GRENADIER GUARDS AND No 2 COMMANDO. KILLED 28^TH MARCH 1942. AGED 20. ONLY SON OF GEORGE WILLIAM AND DORIS OLIVE WALTON OF MIDLAND TERRACE. ATTENDED THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND DAY SCHOOL WHERE HE WON A GODWARD SCHOLARSHIP TO THE COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL. ON LEAVING HE WENT TO WORK FOR MESSRS PAULDEN OF MANCHESTER. GEORGE ENLISTED IN THE GRENADIER GUARDS AS SOON AS HE REACHED THE AGE OF 18. HE WAS IN LONDON DURING THE BLITZ, BUT ESCAPED INJURY. HE VOLUNTEERED FOR THE COMMANDOS AND AFTER INTENSIVE TRAINING, TOOK PART IN THE FAMOUS COMMANDO RAID ON THE GERMAN U-BOAT BASE AT ST NAZAIRE. GEORGE WAS REPORTED MISSING PRESUMED KILLED FOLLOWING THE RAID. GEORGE'S FATHER SERVED IN THE FIRST WAR. HE WAS THE FIRST NEW MILLS MAN TO BE DECORATED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR, WHEN HE WON THE MILITARY MEDAL. BURIED ESCOUBLAC-LA BAULE WAR CEMETERY, LOIRE-ATLANTIQUE.

PETER J. TROY, DRIVER, RAC. DIED OF WOUNDS SEPTEMBER 1944. AGED 36. PETER ORIGINALLY CAME FROM MANCHESTER, BUT HAD BEEN RESIDING AT BANKSIDE, HIGH STREET SINCE 1940. EMPLOYED AT THE FERODO FACTORY IN CHAPEL. JOINED THE ARMY IN 1942 AND WENT OVERSEAS SOON AFTER D-DAY. IT WAS IN NORMANDY THAT HE WAS FATALLY WOUNDED. LEFT A WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN.

RONALD WATERHOUSE, 1079709 SERGEANT(W. OP/Air Gnr). 101 SQUADRON. ROYAL AIR FORCE VOLUNTEER RESERVE. KILLED 29^TH MARCH 1943. AGED 22. SON OF MR AND MRS RONALD WATERHOUSE OF JODRELL STREET, NEWTOWN. A FORMER PUPIL OF NEW MILLS COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL. RONALD WAS EMPLOYED AS A CLERK IN THE WAREHOUSE OF S AND J. WATTS, OF PORTLAND STREET, MANCHESTER. HE HAD BEEN ATTENDING EVENING CLASSES IN MANCHESTER SINCE LEAVING SCHOOL IN ORDER TO ADVANCE HIS PROSPECTS. RONALD WAS VERY FOND OF SPORTS. HE WAS AN EXCELLENT SWIMMER AND HAD PLAYED CRICKET FOR BOTH NEW MILLS AND BIRCH VALE CLUBS. RONALD ATTENDED THE PARISH CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. SERGEANT WATERHOUSE HAD BEEN IN THE RAF FOR NEARLY THREE YEARS. HE HAD TAKEN PART IN MANY OPERATIONAL FLIGHTS. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN LANCASTER ED552 NAMED "GREMLIN QUEEN" LEFT HOLME -ON-SPALDING MOOR AT 03-31 ON A NIGHT TRAINING EXERCISE. THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO GAIN HEIGHT AND STRUCK TREES FOUR MILES FROM THE AIRFIELD, CRASHING AT SOUTH CLIFFE, YORKSHIRE. A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTENDED THE MILITARY FUNERAL AT NEW MILLS (ST. GEORGE) CHURCHYARD.

RICHARD WATERHOUSE, GUARDSMAN, 2721799. IRISH GUARDS. PRESUMED KILLED IN ACTION THURSDAY 21^ST SEPTEMBER 1944. AGE 32. SON OF RICHARD AND ADA LOUISA WATERHOUSE, OF NEWTOWN. RICHARD HAD BEEN IN THE ARMY SINCE 1940. HE WENT TO FRANCE IN JULY 1944. RICHARD WAS EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS PRIOR TO ENLISTING. AN EXCELLENT DANCER, RICHARD WAS WELL KNOWN AS HE ATTENDED DANCES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT COMMEMORATED GROESBEEK MEMORIAL, NETHERLANDS.

JAMES WOOD, FUSILIER, 2^ND BATTALION; ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS. DIED WEDNESDAY, 18^TH OCTOBER 1944. AGE 21.

ONLY SON OF JAMES WOOD OF LANESIDE, NEW MILLS. COMMEMORATED TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY, MYANMAR

HARRY WYATT, ABLE SEAMAN, D/JX 420798. H.M.M.T.B 707, ROYAL NAVY. LOST AT SEA WHILST ON MANEUVERS TUESDAY, 18^TH APRIL 1944. AGED 18. SON OF SYDNEY AND ETHEL WYATT, OF BROOKLYN, BIRCH VALE. EMPLOYED AT THE LOW LEIGHTON BRANCH OF THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. HARRY HAD BEEN IN THE NAVY FOR FOURTEEN MONTHS. HE WAS A SCHOLAR OF THORNSETT INDEPENDENT SUNDAY SCHOOL. VERY KEEN ON FOOTBALL HARRY PLAYED FOR THE NAVY TEAM. COMMEMORATED PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL, DEVON. THE MEMORIAL IS SITUATED CENTRALLY ON THE HOE WHICH OVERLOOKS DIRECTLY TOWARDS PLYMOUTH SOUND.

ALSO KILLED BUT NOT ON THE MEMORIAL

JOHN CHARLES BOARDMAN, SERGEANT, SHERWOOD FORESTERS. DEATH PRESUMED 28^TH FEBUARY 1941. AGED 32. SON OF MR AND MRS H. BOARDMAN OF ALBERT TERRACE, NEWTOWN. JOHN WHO WAS MARRIED LIVED ON OAK AVENUE. EMPLOYED AS A MOTOR DRIVER FOR MESSRS SMITH OF NEWTOWN. JOHN WHO HAD BEEN IN THE RESERVE FOR SEVERAL YEARS WAS ON ACTIVE SERVICE WHEN WAR BROKE OUT. HE WAS AMONGST THE FIRST MEN TO CROSS THE CHANNEL WITH THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE. JOHN WAS POSTED MISSING FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL FROM DUNKIRK. HIS BODY WAS WASHED ASHORE ON THE FRENCH COAST IN MAY 1941.

JOHN D. HILL, AIRCRAFTSMAN SECOND CLASS, ROYAL AIR FORCE. DIED 23^RD DECEMBER 1945 OF NATURAL CAUSES. AGED 33. SON OF MRS HILL OF ALBION ROAD. AFTER ONE YEARS SERVICE WITH THE RAF JOHN WAS DISCHARGED ON MEDICAL GROUNDS. JOHN WHO WAS A WIDOWER RETURNED HOME AND WORKED AT THE POST OFFICE IN ORDER TO SUPPORT HIS MOTHER AND YOUNG DAUGHTER. PRIOR TO THE WAR JOHN HAD BEEN EMPLOYED AT TORR VALE MILL. FOND OF FOOTBALL AND CRICKET. COMMEMORATED IN ST GEORGE'S CHURCHYARD.

 
WILLIAM TAYLOR, 1821155 GUNNER, ROYAL ARTILLERY. DIED 2^ND SEPTEMBER 1941. AGED 30. SON OF JOHN AND FRANCES TAYLOR OF BRIDGE COTTAGES, HAWK GREEN; HUSBAND OF MATILDA TAYLOR, OF CHERRY TREE COTTAGE, NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE. WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AS AN UNDER CARDER AT GOYT MILLS. WILLIAM PLAYED THE BUGLE FOR WHICH HE HAD WON MANY PRIZES. PLAYED CRICKET FOR HAWK GREEN. IT APPEARS THAT WILLIAM WHO HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE ARMY FOR ELEVEN WEEKS DIED FOLLOWING AN ILLNESS. BURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS AT NEW MILLS (ST GEORGE'S ROAD) METHODIST CHURCHYARD.

EDWIN ALEXANDER HIGGINBOTTOM, 6145277 LANCE CORPORAL, EAST SURREY REGIMENT. KILLED 28^TH FEBUARY 1945. AGED 26. SON OF HENRY B. AND ISOBEL HIGGINBOTTOM, OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE. BURIED PADUA WAR CEMETERY.

ERIC BELLAERS, 4128370 RIFLEMAN, 1^ST BATTALION. THE LONDON IRISH RIFLES. ROYAL ULSTER RIFLES. KILLED 19^TH SEPTEMBER 1944. AGED 25. SON OF REGINALD WALKER BELLAERS AND ADA BELLAERS, OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE. CORIANO RIDGE WAR CEMETERY.

CYRIL STANLEY WELLMAN, 3710937 PRIVATE, KINGS OWN ROYAL REGIMENT (LANCASTER). KILLED 21^ST NOVEMBER 1941. AGED 21. SON OF JOHN WILLIAM AND LILLIAN WELLMAN; STEPSON OF LOUISA WELLMAN, OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE BURIED KNIGHTSBRIDGE WAR CEMETERY.

FELIX DE BASTARRECHEA, MASTER, SS EMPIRE MERSEY (LIVERPOOL). MERCHANT NAVY. KILLED 14^TH OCTOBER 1942. AGED 55. HUSBAND OF EUGENIA DE BASTARRECHEA, OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE. COMMEMORATED TOWER HILL MEMORIAL.

JOHN LAW, DONKEYMAN, SS JANETA (GLASGOW). MERCHANT NAVY. KILLED 1^ST MAY 1944. AGE 30. HUSBAND OF DORIS LAW, OF NEW MILLS, DERBYSHIRE.

HARRY SELMAN, FLIGHT LIEUTENANT, ROYAL AIR FORCE. KILLED ON AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT ON THE 11^TH APRIL 1950. AGED 27. YOUNGEST SON OF THE LATE HARRY SELMAN. FORMERLY OF SOUTH VIEW , BUT AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH HARRY WAS LIVING AT No 6, ALBION ROAD. HARRY WORKED IN FERRANTI'S MOSTON OFFICE BEFORE JOINING THE RAF AT EIGHTEEN. HARRY MADE MORE THAN THIRTY OPERATIONAL TRAINING FLIGHTS WITH 158 SQUADRON AND ON THE NIGHT OF THE 23^RD-24^TH AUGUST 1943 WAS SHOT DOWN BY A NIGHT-FIGHTER OVER BERLIN IN HANLEY PAGE HALIFAX HR725. MOST OF THE CREW OF EIGHT MANAGED TO ABANDONED THE AIRCRAFT (TWO KILLED) AND WERE TAKEN PRISONER. HARRY SPENT THE REST OF THE WAR IN STALAG LUFT HEYDEKRUG. FOLLOWING THE WAR HARRY TOOK UP GROUND DUTIES AND VOLUNTEERED FOR OVERSEAS SERVICE. HE WAS POSTED TO SINGAPORE WHERE HE STAYED FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE APPLYING FOR AIRCREW DUTIES. HARRY THEN RETURNED TO ENGLAND FOR A REFRESHER COURSE. IT WAS WHILST ENGAGED ON A NIGHT TRAINING FLIGHT THAT HARRY LOST HIS LIFE. THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A FAULT AND DIVED IN TO THE GROUND NEAR WEST MALLING, SUSSEX. KILLING THE FOUR AIRMEN ABOARD.

HAYFIELD WORLD WAR TWO LOSSES

If I should die, think only this,

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is forever England.

Rupert Brooke

ARNOLD BAXTER, PRIVATE,3533260. 1^ST BATTALION; MANCHESTER REGIMENT. DIED FRIDAY, 2^ND JULY 1943. AGED 25. SON OF JOHN AND ETHEL BAXTER, OF BIRCH VALE. COMMEMORATED THANBYUZAYAT WAR CEMETERY, MYANMAR.

ROBERT STEVENS BARNES, PRIVATE, 4984545. 14^TH BATTALION SHERWOOD FORESTERS (NOTTS AND DERBY REGT). KILLED 25^TH OCTOBER 1942. AGE 26. SON OF SAMUEL AND FLORENCE BARNES, OF HAYFIELD. EMPLOYED AS A QUARRYMAN IN THE LOCAL QUARRIES. ROBERT WAS A SCHOLAR OF THE BETHEL METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. SON, GRANDSON AND NEPHEW OF KINDER GAMEKEEPERS, IT WAS NOT SUPRISING THAT ROBERT'S FAVOURITE RECREATION WAS TO GO OUT WITH HIS GUN. HE KNEW A GOOD DEAL ABOUT GUNS BEFORE HE JOINED THE ARMY AND MUST HAVE PROVED TO BE A MOST USEFUL SOLDIER AS HE WAS ALSO PROFICIENT IN THE DRIVING OF MOTOR TRANSPORT AND MOTOR CYCLES. JOINED UP IN 1941 AND WENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST IN APRIL 1942. COMMEMORATED EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETERY.

ARTHUR EDWARD ELLIS, BOMBADIER, 959548. 61 FIELD REGIMENT. ROYAL ARTILLERY. KILLED IN ACTION IN NORMANDY 16^TH JULY 1944. AGE 24. ONLY SON OF COUNCILOR JOHN ARTHUR GLYN ELLIS AND RUTH ELLIS, OF OAKDENE, CHAPEL ROAD, HAYFIELD. ATTENDED HAYFIELD COUNCIL SCHOOL AND NEW MILLS COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL BEFORE ENTERING THE SERVICE OF MOTOR UNION INSURANCE CO., MANCHESTER. ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARISH CHURCH. ARTHUR'S PRINCIPLE INTEREST WAS IN AMATEUR DRAMATICS. HE WAS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE VILLAGE SOCIETY AND TOOK PART IN SEVERAL PLAYS. ARTHUR WAS MUCH VALUED FOR HIS ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS. ARTHUR WAS REGARDED AS SOMETHING OF AN ATHLETE. HE WAS PICKED TO REPRESENT NEW MILLS SECONDARY SCHOOL AT CRICKET AND HELD THE SCHOOL RECORD FOR THE 300 YARDS RACE. HE ALSO PLAYED TABLE TENNIS FOR THE HAYFIELD CLUB. ENLISTED ON THE 5^TH JUNE 1940. COMMEMORATED FONTENAY-LE-PESNEL WAR CEMETERY, TESSEL-CALVADOS, FRANCE.

WILLIAM FARMER, LANCE CORPORAL, 3862461. 1^ST BATTALION. THE LOYAL REGIMENT (NORTH LANCASHIRE). DIED OF WOUNDS 26^TH JANUARY 1944. AGED 30. SON OF WALTER AND SARAH FARMER, OF KINDER ROAD, HAYFIELD. WILLIAM WAS IN HIS YOUTH A SCHOLAR OF THE BETHEL METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL. BEFORE ENLISTING WILLIAM WAS EMPLOYED AT BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS. HIS GREAT INTEREST WAS IN CRICKET AND HE HAD FOLLOWED THE FORTUNES OF THE HAYFIELD CLUB SINCE HE WAS A BOY. WILLIAM HAD EVENTUALLY BECOME A PLAYER AND WAS A PARTICULARLY FINE OPENING BATSMAN WHO MADE SOME FINE SCORES FOR HAYFIELD. IN THE ANNUAL WORKS COMPETITION "BILLY" PLAYED FOR THE BIRCH VALE PRINTWORKS TEAM. HIS CONTRIBUTION WAS SUCH THAT THE CUP BECAME KNOWN AS THE "FARMER CUP". HE PLAYED DURING HIS LEAVES HOME AND CONTINUED TO ENJOY GREAT SUCCESS. FOOTBALL WAS WILLIAM'S WINTER SPORT AND HE WAS A POPULAR AND ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBER OF THE HAYFIELD ALBION TEAM. JOINED UP IN 1940, AND HAD SPENT TWELVE MONTHS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, WHERE HE HAD BEEN WOUNDED. HE RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO ACTION IN ITALY, WHERE HE FELL. COMMEMORATED ANZIO WAR CEMETERY, ITALY.

JAMES RONALD HILL, SIGNALMAN, 14201160. ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS, KILLED 6^TH MARCH 1943. AGED 20. SON OF CONSTABLE GEORGE AND EDITH HILL, OF HAYFIELD. JAMES WAS BORN AT HEANOR WHEN HIS FATHER WAS STATIONED THERE. JAMES WAS A MEMBER OF THE HAYFIELD YOUTH MOVEMENT FOR WHO HE PLAYED FOOTBALL. JAMES WAS AN EXCELLENT PERFORMER ON THE PIANO ACCORDION AND GAVE HIS SERVICES TO VARIOUS GOOD CAUSES. JAMES WAS EMPLOYED AS AN APPRENTICE JOINER IN MANCHESTER AT THE TIME HE ENLISTED IN FEBUARY 1942 AND AFTER TRAINING WENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST IN OCTOBER. ON FEBUARY 20^TH 1943 JAMES MET WITH HIS BROTHER (SGT STANLEY HILL) WHO HAD BEEN IN THE MIDDLE EAST FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS. JAMES'S FATHER WAS A NATIVE OF THORNSETT WHO HAD SERVED IN THE GREAT WAR. COMMEMORATED TRIPOLI WAR CEMETERY, LIBYA.

HUGH GARTSIDE LLEWELLYN, ABLE SEAMAN, D/JX 303259. H.M.S. ITCHEN. ROYAL NAVY. KILLED 23^RD SEPTEMBER 1943. AGED 20. SON OF STANLEY AND NELLIE LLEWELLYN, OF HAYFIELD. HUGH ATTENDED HAYFIELD COUNCIL SCHOOL, WHERE HE WON A DERBYSHIRE SCHOLARSHIP ALLOWING HIM TO MOVE ON TO NEW MILLS SECONDARY SCHOOL. HUGH WON THE HEADMASTERS PRIZE FOR SCORING A CENTURY DURING AN INTER- SCHOOL MATCH. THE FIRST BOY TO ATTAIN THAT SCORE IN SCHOOL CRICKET. AFTER LEAVING SECONDARY SCHOOL HUGH ATTENDED MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY. WHERE HE HAD COMPLETED ONE YEAR IN AN HONOURS COURSE OF ENGINEERING. HUGH PLAYED CRICKET WITH HAYFIELD AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL TEAM. ALTHOUGH HE WAS EXCEMPT FROM MILITARY SERVICE  BY VIRTUE OF BEING A STUDENT, HUGH VOLUNTEERED FOR THE ROYAL NAVY IN NOVEMBER 1941. HE SERVED ABOARD BRITISH, AUSTRALIAN, CANADIAN AND POLISH SHIPS AND TOOK PART IN RAIDS ON BRUNEVAL AND DIEPPE. HUGH HAD BEEN WOUNDED WHEN HIS SHIP WAS DIVE BOMBED, BUT MADE A GOOD RECOVERY. ON NOVEMBER 5^TH 1942, HUGH WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT FOR HIS OWN SAFETY HAD LEAPT INTO THE SEA TO SAVE ANOTHER SAILOR WHO HAD FALLEN OVERBOARD. FOR HIS BRAVERY HE WAS AWARDED THE CERTIFICATE OF THE ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY. H.M.S. ITCHEN WAS SUNK BY A U-BOAT HUGH AND MANY OTHERS WERE LOST AT SEA. HARRY CARTHY OF NEW MILLS WAS ALSO LOST IN THE ITCHEN. COMMEMORATED PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL.

FREDERICK ROBERT MATHER, PRIVATE, 3460558. 2^ND BATTALION. EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. 6^TH MAY 1942. AGED 29. SON OF MR AND MRS THOMAS ALFRED MATHER, STEPSON OF FLORENCE ALICE MATHER, OF HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED ANTSIRANANA WAR CEMETERY, MADAGASCAR.

ERNEST PAUL MESSENGER, MAJOR, KILLED IN BURMA MAY 1944. AGE 23. ELDEST SON OF MR AND MRS MESSENGER OF THE OAKLANDS, HAYFIELD. EDUCATED AT SEDBERGH SCHOOL AND HAD BEEN ARTICLED INTO HIS FATHERS FIRM, MESSENGER, POWELL AND CO, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF MANCHESTER. AT THE TIME HE ENLISTED ERNEST WAS LIVING AT "WESTWOOD", ARKWRIGHT ROAD, MARPLE. ERNEST PLAYED RUGBY FOOTBALL WITH THE MANCHESTER TEAM AND WAS A MEMBER OF STOCKPORT GOLF CLUB.

 
JAMES THOMAS WHARMBY. ORDINARY SEAMAN, D/JX 565643. H.M.S. SEARCHER, ROYAL NAVY. DIED OF INJURIES RECEIVED AS THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY THE 23^RD JULY 1944. AGED 18. SON OF MR AND MRS J. T. WHARMBY OF BIRCH VALE. JAMES HAD BEEN EMPLOYED AT STRINES PRINTWORKS BEFORE JOINING THE NAVY IN MAY 1943. HE WAS SERVING ON AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED....."HE WAS HOLDING THE CHOCKS BY THE WHEELS OF AN AIRCRAFT, WHEN ANOTHER AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTING A LANDING CRASHED INTO THE SEA. WITHOUT THINKING WHAT HE WAS DOING JAMES TRIED TO RUSH TO THE SIDE TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE PILOT. WHILST DOING SO HE RAN THROUGH THE PROPELLERS OF HIS OWN AIRCRAFT. HE SUSTAINED VERY SEVERE INJURIES. DESPITE THE BEST EFFORTS OF THE DOCTOR, JAMES PASSED AWAY WITHOUT REGAINING CONSCIOUSNESS ABOUT AN HOUR LATER. BURIED AT SEA. COMMEMORATED ON THE PLYMOUTH MEMORIAL, DEVON.

                 ALSO KILLED BUT NOT ON MEMORIAL

ERIC CROUGHTON, GUNNER, 14321262. ROYAL ARTILLERY. KILLED 19^TH SEPTEMBER 1944. AGED 29. SON OF EDWARD AND ALICE CROUGHTON OF MANCHESTER; HUSBAND OF EVELYN CROUGHTON, OF HAYFIELD.

HAROLD BRADLEY, CORPORAL,4199134. 7^TH BATTALION. ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS. 11^TH AUGUST 1944. AGE 27. SON OF WILLIAM EDWARD AND MARY ALICE BRADLEY; HUSBAND OF MARY ELIZABETH BRADLEY, OF HAYFIELD. COMMEMORATED BROUAY WAR CEMETERY, FRANCE.

                     *** *** *** *** *** ***

                               AIR RAID

The details of the Air Raid of the 3^rd of July 1942 are well known:- At 8-00 p.m. two German JU 88s swept low up the valley from the direction of Manchester. No Air Raid warning was given, and amongst those who noticed the low approaching aircraft there was confusion as to the identity of the planes. Within seconds the craft had split one launching an ineffective attack on the railway viaduct. The other attacking the Gasholder, in Mousley Bottom without success. Though Lowe's Mill, the railway station and signal box all had there windows blown out. This aircraft flew on to Low Leighton at roof top height, spraying machine gun bullets into the streets, and amongst a boys cricket match on the Church Road field as it passed. At Low Leighton another bomb was dropped. This demolished two houses and the Methodist Chapel, which stood where the modern Fire Station stands today. There were two fatal casualties, Joan Handford a ten year old and Daniel McKellar, a man of 79, who was wounded in the blast and died the following day.

The two aircraft flew on up the Sett valley where the people of Hayfield were also unaware of their approach. The paper of the time carried a witness account of the bombing of Hayfield and its aftermath "The raid came with amazing suddenness. I was in the house when I heard an explosion in the distance which sounded very much like thunder. But it was followed by the crackle of machine gun fire. Others, I found afterwards, had heard the same noises and did not know for the moment what to make of them. Some were in their gardens, others were taking a walk, some were playing whist at a drive held for the RAF Benevolent fund.

I looked to where the machine was, but I heard it flying over the roof of the house with terrific noise. Before I could get to the door it had gone. Then I heard another explosion and saw a cloud of smoke rising such as I had seen at A.R.P. exercises.... Everybody knew that a bomb had dropped. There was no need to call out the civil defence services. Members of the services heard the bomb, and they rushed to the scene and were soon busy. Before it was really known what had happened the rescue squad were at work and the fire pumps were busy, although there was little fire evident at the time. Incendiary bombs had been dropped near by where children were playing on the recreation ground. The boys got a new sport collecting the spent incendiaries.

The three cottages which had been hit were an appalling sight. They had gone down like a box of cards under the powerful explosion......what struck one most was the entire absence of panic or hysteria. It was the first experience of bombing and gun firing from the air that many present had known. But they knew what to do and they did it. The Home Guard and the special police were there, as well as the civil defence services. The first person I had seen after the second explosion was the village constable rushing to the scene on his bicycle. Many of the men on the job had rushed there without donning their uniform, and had only their helmets for protection. They worked with amazing strength and speed, and yet with extreme care, in case any under that huge heap of debris should still be alive. Happily some were and they were rescued."

The names of the two casualties in New Mills and the six in Hayfield are recorded amongst the war dead on the respective memorials.

The two German raiders were eventually intercepted and shot down in Lincolnshire, where the crew of one aircraft perished.

There had been several bombs and flares dropped in the area prior to the raid of July 1942. Mostly these had fallen on high ground and farmland and though the noise and flashes of the explosion had sometimes caused concern they had caused no injury or damage to property. Except that is for the Rowarth "raid" of the 31^st of August, 1940. This was almost certainly an indiscriminate and untargeted dropping of the bomb load of one or more German aircraft. It is most probable that the aircraft involved had over flown their intended target at Manchester and decided to drop their bomb load before reaching the high ground of the Peak District.

At around 10-45 p.m. that night a Mr Jos Devlin, Rowarth Postmaster was making his way home down Hollinsmoor Road, "...there was an indescribable noise, as if the whole earth was just one fearful whizz. Instictively I threw myself prone on the ground face downward. Then came a terrible explosion which lifted me inches from the ground, although I was perfectly prone, and it nearly took the breath out of my body. It was a high explosive bomb, and I learned later that the glass had been smashed in some houses a considerable distance from where I was , but that nobody had been hurt. When I lifted my face from the ground a grander sight than any I could have imagined met my view. Incendiary bombs were being dropped not far away. I knew every inch of the ground and everything was silhouetted in marvellous outline with the sky black overhead. It looked as if the whole place was on fire over one long track which the plane had travelled. There seemed to be millions of candles, and the whole scene was most ghostly. I have never seen anything like it, and I dont want to see anything like it again."

The bombs and incendiaries dropped, fell to the right hand side of Hollinsmoor Road as the aircraft roughly followed the line of the road toward the Little Mill Inn. One bomb fell near the roadside, probably the one described by Jos Devlin, it demolished 6 yards of wall. Other damage caused amounted to a window broken at Anderton House, better known as The Children's Inn, and a broken window at Brookside Cottage. Two cottages to the north of the Little Mill Inn suffered broken windows, loose slates and loose window frames. At the Little Mill itself a stock of spirits was shaken from shelves in the cellar and smashed. Nearby Laneside Farm lost 15 windows and many slates. In all it was a lucky escape for the people of Rowarth and for the district in general. Had the bombs and incendiaries dropped in a more populated area the result would have been very different.

THE FOLLOWING HAYFIELD CIVILIANS WERE KILLED BY ENEMY ACTION ON THE 3^RD JULY, 1942

ALBERT GIBSON, AGE 61. OF SETT VIEW, SPRING VALE ROAD, HAYFIELD; HUSBAND OF EDITH GIBSON. A VETERAN OF THE GREAT WAR.

EDITH GIBSON. AGE 49. OF SETT VIEW, SPRING VALE ROAD.

GLADYS MAY GIBSON. AGE 19. OF SETT VIEW, SPRING VALE ROAD. DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE COUPLE.

MARGARET JANE GIBSON. AGE 21. OF SETT VIEW, SPRING VALE ROAD. DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE COUPLE.

HANNAH ROBINSON. AGE 47. DAUGHTER OF MR AND MRS CHARLES COOPER, OF LITTLE HAYFIELD. WIFE OF LIONEL HALL ROBINSON, OF NEWHAVEN, LEA ROAD, HAYFIELD. KILLED AT SETT VIEW, SPRING VALE ROAD.

FREDA THORPE. AGE 10. DAUGHTER OF MR AND MRS THORPE OF 78 MOUNT ROAD, BELLE VUE. AN EVACUEE KILLED AT SPRING VALE ROAD, HAYFIELD.




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Copyright Stephen Lewis

ISBN No. 0 9536806 0 6