2009/07/11
In the Graveyard, behind where Providence Chapel once stood,are several other ex servicemen who are either buried, or simply commemorated on family Headstones. Incidentally, Gordon Whittaker who is on the Memorial is also commemorated on his family’s Headstone, but showing the wrong date of his being killed in action. There is also a chap who worked on Munitions during the War years who lost his life in an explosion at his place of work. There are two graves summounted by Commonwealth War Graves Headstones, which record the name, regiment, number, and date of death of the two individuals. They are No, 140179, Private Charles Bratt, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) who died on the 24th of November 1918 not quite two weeks after the signing of the Armitice , either of wounds received, or illness, possibly from the Flu epedemic that was prevalent at that time.
The second War Graves Headstone is that of Private Alfred Spencer 
No28866 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Parents were Thomas and Amanda Spencer. One of three brothers who served in the first world war, the family losing Alfred’s brother Thomas Emanuel Spencer, on April 4th 1918, a report follows that of Alfred’s. Their Father was also an old soldier, who fought in the South Africa campaign and participated in the relief of Ladysmith during the conflict there. Alfred died on the 14th of May 1918, aged22. Pte Spencer was of the 11th Battalion East Lancs, this battalion suffered greatly on the 1st of july 1916, before the German held village of Serre in the opening of the Somme battle July 1st 1916. During the Battle of the Lys, in April 1918 , Near Vieux Berquin, the 11th Battalion East Lancashires were attacked three times in one day by the enemy, each time holding their ground, although at a heavy cost in casualties. This being on the 13th of April, and Alfred Spencer was wounded in this action and shipped back home to a Hospital in Liverpool where despite Medical attention he succumbed to his wounds on the 14th of May 1918 as the Burnley Newspaper reports in the article below.
Military Funeral Today
Two Sons Sacrificed
One in April; The other in May
There will be a military funeral in Burnley today.Prior to internment the body will be carried into St Matthews Church. The young man who has made the supreme sacrifice is Pte Alfred Spencer (22) 28566East Lancashire Regiment. By his death the parents who live at 15, Reynolds Street, have sustained a double bereavement in a very short period. An older son Corpl Thomas Emanuel Spencer, also of the East Lancashire’s, died from wounds in a French hospital on April 4th. Pte Alfred Spencer sustained a very severe and dangerous bullet injury in the head on April 13th and suffered much from loss of blood. He was removed to Fazakerley Hospital, Liverpool, where he died on Tuesday of this week. At one time it was thought that the young man might recover. The bullet was successfully removed, but haemorrhage supervened, and another operation had to be performed; and, in spite of all that could be done for him, death occurred as stated. Pte Spencer joined upon August 17th 1916, after being rejected on three previous occasions. Following a few months training he was sent on active service. In civil life he had latterly been a clothlooker at Proctors Stoneyholme, but previously he worked for years at Fould’s Trafalgar. He was connected with Back Lane Mission of St Matthews Church, and had been a St Matthews Scout. The Reverend S.E.Clark (Vicar) speaks very highly of him as a good worker. He was the youngest of three sons; the eldest is serving with the East Lancashire Field Ambulance. Alfred Spencer enjoyed the intimate friendship of his platoon sergeant, who has been most assiduous in his enquiries. He was in my platoon when wounded, wrote the N.C.O. “In fact we were close against each other, I think it was a toss up whether it was meant for him or myself”. The sergeant writes of his friend as a very good lad and very obliging. The Old Veterans Band will play today from the house to the Church. The 11th Battalion Lancashire Volunteer Regiment is to be represented. below is the Burnley Newspaper article of the first loss for the Spencers, that of Thomas Emmanuel, Alfred’s Brother.
PATIENT AND BRAVE
In a chaplain’s letter to Mr and Mrs Spencer, 15, Reynolds Street, Burnley, telling of the death of their son, Corpl, Thomas Emmanuel Spencer (25), 240836, East Lancashire’s, it was stated that after being injured the young man was very patient and made a brave fight for his life. His wounds however were too severe for his strength, and he passed away on April 4th. He sustained gunshot inflictions in the neck, chest, and spine. Corpl Spencer enlisted in October 1914. Before then he was a weaver at Thornber’s Healey Wood Mill. His name figures on the St Matthew’s Roll of Honour. His two brothers are in France. Thomas lies in St Sever Military Cemetery Rouen France.
THE WHITE LUND MUNITIONS FACTORY DISASTER
The Family Headstone in Providence Graveyard bearing the name of John Crowther Killed in the Explosion at the White Lund Munitions Factory near Morecambe Lancashire on the 1st of October 1917.
In August 1915 the firm of Vickers went into negotiations to build and administrate a filling factory. A site was found at White Lund, which was halfway between Lancaster and Morecambe, and was therefore conveniently placed for receiving empty shells from the projectile factory at Lancaster and other centres on the north west coast, and for dealing with heavy shells from the Mersey Region. Construction started on the 23rd of November 1915, but due to delays in construction,and the delay confirmation of filling methods of the munitions, finally sorted out in january 1916, output didn’t begin until July 1916. The buildings, of which by far the larger proportions were of wood roofed with felt, consisted of six danger units, 16 bonded stores(the property of the Army Ordinance Departement), a paint shop, an empty shell store, stores and magazines, general offices and canteen, power station and workshop. This lay- out gave the capacity for filling 500 tons pressed or 200 tons melted amatol weekly into shells between 60 pdr to 12in calibre. Total number of shells filled up to Disaster date of October 1917 was 2,893,100. On October 1st, a disasterous fire broke out at about 10.30 pm., on the upper floor of one of the melt plants. Fortunatley, the workers had not returned from supper, so the number of casualties that were killed amounted to 10, with a few seriously injured, the number of casualties being small when compared to the material destruction caused. Numerous explosions took place, some of which were heard as faraway as Rossendale and Burnley, the last of which was at 4.am. on the 3rd of October 1917. By 8.am. on the 4th of October 1917 the factory was almost entirely destroyed. By that time almost nothing was left but the filled shell stores, paint shed, explosive magazine and part of the power house, all saved by the heroic efforts of the fire brigades attending. The cause of the fire was never established and the inquest on the deaths caused reached a verdict “That the men died from injuries accidentally received whilst carrying out their duty’s in a factory during a fire, there being no evidence to show how the fire originated”. Of the ten deaths four were Firemen, with two seriously injured, between Morecambe and Lancaster Firebrigades no less than nine O B E’s were awarded, a B E M was awarded to the female telephonist who remained on duty for 24 hours. Other Heroes of that day were Abraham Clarke Graham and Thomas Kew, both off duty railway men(Kew being an engine driver and Graham a shunter) when they heard the alarm, and seeing a fully loaded train close to the fire zone, was well aware of the risk of further explosions. He and Kew worked together and removed 54 wagons from the danger zone. no simple task as some wagons were ablaze and exploding and also needed uncoupling before moving The two men worked tirelessly for about three hours and no doubt averted an even greater disaster. Thomas Kew even patched up a large water tank that had been damaged by exploding shells, this tank fed the sprinkler system and hosepipe fire points, all this done whilst shells were exploding around him.For their selfless bravery they received theEdward Medal from King George the V, on the 7th of May 1918.
EXERPT FROM THE ROSSENDALE FREE PRESS OCTOBER 6TH 1917
Article by Free press journalist who went under the name of Jax, his columns being named Jottings by Jax. Monday night’s explosions at the North of England Munitions works were plainly heard in the Rossendale district.At midnight and even later there were many people outdoors, exchanging experiences with neighbours and making conjectures as to what was happening. The sounds came in varying intensity; some faint and others comparatively loud like the deep booming of heavy artillery. In many houses the window frames rattled uncannily, and at others the sound was of someone having bumped against the door. The police authorities had many enquiries as to the cause, and early on they were able (having got the information by telephone) to assure interrogators that the reports were not due to hostile nocturnal visitors. Two men who were on a local hilltop tell me that they distinctly saw the glare of the explosions or of the fire in the sky.
Also reported in Rossendale Free Press Crawshawbooth section.
Death of Mr John Crowther We deeply regret to record the death of Mr John Crowther a former well-known butcher of this district. He went to work on Munitions some time ago, and his death is the result of the sad catastrophe reported as occurring in the North of England. Much Sympathy is expressed with the bereaved relatives in their sorrow.
In the deaths Column of the same issue was this below.
Crowther
Dedicated to my friend John Crowther who lost his life the 1st day of October 1917, in the North of England Explosion
Yours is the happier lot; you are free
Forever from the grim unloveliness of these damned days
From all the beastliness that hems us like a goad the sorrow greed.
Of game and Guerdon never satisfied
You will feed – no more to brood into fresh wakefulness.
The tired spirit; you have forgetfulness
Of all moan things; pain no longer heed
Then I cannot, as methought I should
Grieve over this severance of brotherhood
But must rejoice always that should aka?
So high in life by sacrifice have gained
The highest, and in rude marble cross
Must be a triumph that outweighs all loss.
from Howarth Nuttall, formerly of Crawshawbooth.
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM.H.WARNER.218th Sqdrn R.A.F
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Warner Family Headstone
Also in Providence Graveyard is the family grave of the Warners. On it, is commemorated their young son,who already held the rank of a Second Lieutenant. The date of his being killed in action recorded on the family headstone, coincides with that of the Commonwealth War Graves Commision, which is the 27th of June 1918, whilst serving with the 218th Squadron Royal Airforce, and his age is given as a mere 18years. The Commission also states that he was the son of Aaron and Mary Jane Warner(his mother Mary Jane died in 1906), 
and the family address was 43Winter Street Blackburn, and William Henry being born in Accrington. He is buried in grave E.lll.16, in Hamburg Cemetery,Germany.
218 Squadron was formed as a daylight bomber squadron on April 24th 1918, under the command of Canadian Major Burt Wemp D.F.C.. It was equipped with the hopelessly underpowered “Puma” engined DH.9 Aircraft which inevitably led to high casualties among theFront Line Squadrons. Lt William Warner’s aircraft N0 D5687 was delivered to first , the Aircraft Acceptance park Hendon, in May 1918, then on to Dover, and finally to 218 Squadron Dunkirk, on the 20th May 1918. On the 10th of June 1918, this aircraft crashed on landing, with Lt E.H.Dixon and Sgt R.J.williams onboard,but both were unhurt in the accident,and the aircraft was repaired and returned to Squadron. On June the 26th Lt William Warner acting as observer to his pilot LieutenantC.Briggs, were part o
f Captain M.G.Baskerville’s formation of four D.H.9’s, operating over Zeebrugge, opposing them were four German Fokker DV2’s from Marine Feldjasta ll defending the coast, this German force also boasted the air ace Vizeflugmeister Alexandre Zenses. During the ensuing “Dog Fight”, Captain Baskerville shot one of the Fokker scout’s down, claiming the first aerial victory for 218 Squadron. Unfortunatley Lieutenants Briggs and Warner, were killed, when another Fokker Dv2 dived on them and opened fire, the planes wings reported to have folded during the combat, the R.A.F report also states that Warner was avenged by the Sopwith Camel C.65, which shot down their attacker. On the 24th May 1919, a Royal Airforce Casualty Card, reporting on the death of 2nd Lieutenant William H.Warner, carries a report by his Captain, M.G.Baskervill, who reports “That the machine in which this Officer was flying,was shot by the Germans, and smashed to pieces in the air, the action taking place 4 miles out to sea”. he also states”there is no chance at all that they are alive”. Wlilliam Warners Pilot, Lt C.Briggs, is buried in grave B.1. in Blankenburghe Town Cemetery
Briggs Grave at Blankenberg
William was originally buried in Plot18, grave 6 in Lehe Military Cemetery, Province of Hanover Germany. I can only assume that his body was carried by the current,and being washed up off the coast of Bremmerhaven Germany, and buried in the then nearest Military Cemetery. At some time he was removed and reinterred in Hamburg Military Cemetery, as a lot of the smaller Cemetery’s were concentrated into Hamburg military Cemetery.
Close up of Second Lt Warner’s Commemoration
Private Tom Harry Taylor
M2/202357 Army Service Corps
Died of Enteric Fever, 24th January 1918, aged 24
Lived 2 Ivy Grove, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall
Buried Cape Town (Maitland Cemetery), South Africa.
Bert Taylor and Thomas Harry Taylor were the two sons of John James Taylor and Alice Taylor, who all at one time lived at 2 Ivy Grove Burnley Road Rawtenstall. Thom Harry and his father both also lived for a time at Badger Cote Farm, which was situated along the main Burnley to Rawtenstall road approximately 1 mile from Providence Chapel towards Rawtenstall, and being on the left of the road. The boys Father John James, lived at Badger Cote Farm in 1891, and as the census shows, he is named as the adopted son of Mr Thomas Atkinson (Farmer) and his wife Sarah. Also at the Farm was a Domestic servant called Mary Burns. John James occupation is given as a joiner at a print works (either Loveclough or Sunnyside?). The Atkinson’s originated from Settle, Yorkshire, Mary from Liverpool, and John James from Crawshawbooth.
After Mr and Mrs Atkinson had passed away and John James had a family of his own, his son Thomas Harry Also continued at the Farm with the successive occupants Mr and Mrs Catlow, and he stayed with them up to joining up but not before gaining a wife, her name being Mary Jane.
Thom Harry joined the Army Service Corps (motor transport) his number being M2/202357 and enlisting in Burnley.
He served in South Africa, where unfortunately he contracted the disease enteric fever, which sadly proved fatal and he died on the 24th of January 1918 aged just 24 years. He is buried in Cape Town Maitland Cemetery, section 4, grave ref 97453 C. Both Taylor boys were to die from disease, Thom Harry just seven months after Bertie.
Thom Harry was another of the Sunday School Scholars of Providence and a memorial service was held for him in the Chapel. The reverend William Carter, pastor, delivered the sermon from 1,Peter, iii..18…in which through the ages, and not least in these war times, Christ and his people suffered, the just for the unjust, the innocent with the guilty, yet on behalf of righteousness and the bringing of men to God and good. Hymns were sung, and Mr Willie Pollard the Goodshaw Band Master played Somewhere a voice is calling, and, the Last Post, with good effect.
Private Herbert Law 32539 B Coy 8th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Died of Wounds, 19th September 1918, aged 40
Lived at 11 Taylor Street, Rawtenstall, and is Commemorated on theDoiran Memorial, Greece. Herbert was the son of Joseph Law of Loveclough, and lived at No 11 Taylor Street Rawtenstall, he married Emily Ann Ivett, and his in laws Elizabeth and James Ivett, also lived on the same street as them, their address being No 1 Taylor Street, which is just around the corner from the two Taylor brothers who are both on Providence Chapel War Memorial.
In his Civil Life Herbert was a joiner by trade working for the then Crawshawbooth firm of Ormerod and Ashworth, and whose premises were 845 Burnley road Crawshawbooth.
He enlisted in September 1916 at Rawtenstall and became No 32539 Pte H.Law B Company of the 8th Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry being stationed at first at South Wales.
He was drafted to Salonica in 1917 and was to die there, one year later, in battle.
On the 18th of September the Kings Own Shropshire Light Infantry were deployed and Herbert was wounded, the wounds must have been too severe as he died the next day.
Herbert is yet another with no known grave, his grave marker could have been destroyed by later action which was sometimes the case, but he is commemorated on the Colonial Hill War Memorial at Diorn Village in northern Greece, nearthe Macedonian border. The Photograph of Herbert, was kindly supplied by Herberts Grandson, Mr Neil Chadderton.
The Doiran Memorial
IN GLORIOUS MEMORY OF
418 OFFICERS AND
10282 OTHER RANKS
OF THE BRITISH SALONIKA FORCE
WHO DIED IN MACEDONIA AND SERBIA
1915-1918
AND TO COMMEMORATE
1979 OF ALL RANKS
WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE
BUT WHOSE NAMES ARE ON THE PANELS
Herbert’s wife Emily also wrote to the Mayor of Rawtenstall for a Mayors card to commemorate Herbert’s life, and in September 1919 on the first anniversary of Herbert’s death, his mother in law Mrs Ivett, put an epitaph in the Roll of Honour, which was printed in the Rossendale Free Press and also included was the name of her nephew Private Wilf Popple killed in action with the 10th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers in August 1918, also added were remembrances from Herbert’s brothers and sisters.
Below is the official notice from the Record Office dated the 3rd of October 1918 to Herberts wife Emily, informing her of him dying from wounds received, although now faint, the details can still be read.
The Letter below dated 20th of March 1919 from the British Red Cross must have added closure to any thoughts Emily may have had as to whether Herbert may still be alive.
With kind thanks to Herbert’s Grandson Mr Neil Chadderton for the copies of both letters.
Brief description of the action
In July 1918 General L.F.F Franchet d’Esperey became Commander in Chief and launched a major offensive with six Serbian and two French Divisions against a seventy-mile frontage held by just one Bulgarian Division.
The attack began with a heavy nightime bombardment in the early hours of September 1918, resulting in a five-mile penetration by nightfall on September the 16th.
On the 17th of September the Serbs advanced 20miles, and with the French and Greeks on their flanks widened the breach to 25 miles.
The British attack, launched on September the 18th 1918 was on the front between the Vardar and Lake Doiran, and stopped the Bulgars sending troops westwards against the right flank of the penetration.
By September the 19th the Serbian Cavalry had reached Kevardaci, and two days later the whole Bulgarian front had collapsed.
Pte Albert Pickup 
No 201976 1/4th East Lancashire Regiment
Killed in Action, 25th April 1917
Lived at 1063 Burnley Road Loveclough
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France
Picture of the Family Grave in Providence Chapel Graveyard, which also commemorates Albert as having been killed in action in the Great War aged 31 years.
Lance Corporal Gordon Whittaker
R8408 8th Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Killed in Action, 30th July 1915
Lived 23 Stoneholme Terrace, Crawshawbooth
Commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.
Gordon was born in 1886 to Thomas and Harriet Whittaker and was one of eight children including John, Thomas Stanley, (who enlisted in the 4th Battalion Welsh Fusiliers at Rawtenstall Dec 1915 later discharged), William,George , Herbert,Leah and Sarah. Gordon was baptised at Providence Chapel aged 10 weeks, in1886.
Their home address was 23 Stoneholme Terrace Crawshawbooth.
A local lad he was described as an ardent supporter of Tariff Reform and as such lectured all over Rossendale Valley on the subject, he was highly respected in the district his early death being regretted by many. He served with D Company 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps with his mate from Crawshawbooth Joe White, their consecutive Numbers being R8408 and R8407 respectively.
They entered France on the 19th May 1915.
Gordon wrote home to his parents on the 25th of July 1915 telling them “We had just come out of a rough trench and had got wet through in the heavy rain they were experiencing”, and goes on to describe a German attack, “ First came their Trench Mortars and then they began to shell with the result that I got wounded”. He states that some of the men were buried in the bombardment and Gordon had helped to dig them out, fortunately they were only shocked but their trench had been blown to level country, and also goes on to say he had to see a Doctor to dress his wounds. Later they were congratulated by the Commanding Officer for their work and he reflects on with the trenches being blown in, how he lost everything bar what he stood up in, and how, only 200 yards from him he saw his old mate Joe White who he was glad to say came through safely. A certain Pathos to the letter attached to the fact that he was looking forward to being home on furlough (leave), if the rumours were correct.
Gordon Whittaker was killed in action on the 30th of July 1915;during this action Flamethrowers were used reportedly for the first time.
Shortly after, his Sergeant E.Hindle wrote home to his parents at their home in Crawshawbooth stating “that Gordon had been killed by his side when a German Shell struck him killing him instantly and every one was cut to the heart when they heard of his death”. The Sergeant goes on to say Gordon was a Britisher to the backbone and proved a hero after being wounded and returning to the trenches.
Hindle describes how he and Gordon were awakened from their sleep by a heavy bombardment and a big battle-taking place, the Huns having used burning acid (flamethrower) on the British troops. They took up their positions just in the rear of the firing line waiting to be sent as support to the men in front, Hundreds of shells were flying about and one of them struck Gordon burying both men, on getting free Hindle was horrified to see his friend dead. Sgt Hindle describes the fighting they had to do at tremendous odds and by the time they got to their trenches (German Trenches) they hadn’t enough men to hold them and had to retire.
The Sergeant assures Mr and Mrs Whittaker that their son was a splendid soldier and died doing his duty as only a British soldier could, and expressed sympathy from all who knew him in the regiment.
Joe White
The Rossendale Free press carried its own obituary to Gordon in their Crawshawbooth and Loveclough section shortly after his death
And reads
Lance Corporal Gordon Whittaker who was killed in action at Ypres
Another hero has been added to the already long list of victims from the Rossendale Valley.
I remember very vividly the deceased being home on furlough, and his bright and cheery conversation regarding life in the British army.
His natural ability and characteristic dash were sure to come to the front, and I have not the least doubt had he been spared, he would have gained further rapid promotion. Prior to the war he was best known in this district perhaps for his advocacy of Tariff Reform, and he belonged to that type who rather courted than shirked any public opposition. But all classes deplore the death of such a promising young fellow, and the deepest sympathy is felt with the bereaved parents and family.
The flag at the Conservative Club is flying half-mast as a token of the esteem felt by the members
Gordon’s Parents
Harriet Whittaker, Gordons mother died on the 4th of May 1916,aged 64, a report from the Rossendale Free Press stated
Death of Mrs Whittaker
We deeply regret to record the death of Mrs Whittaker of Stoneholme Terrace Crawshawbooth. The deceased lady who had been in delicate health for a considerable period received a shock by the death of her son Gordon who was killed in France. Mrs Whittaker was a highly esteemed resident of this district, and was associated with Providence U.M.C
Gordon’s Father, Thomas Whittaker now a widower wrote to the Town Hall on April 16th 1917 requesting, as many bereaved families did, a Mayors Card, which acknowledged the sacrifice and loss of the soldier named.
Thomas died on the 3rd of June 1917 and both parents are buried within Providence Chapel Graveyard.
23 Stone Holme Terrace
April 16th 1917
Respected Sir
I see in the Free Press of Saturday last that it is your intention to present a memento of all the lads who have made the Great Sacrifice for King and Country, and I am sure it is very thoughtful and kind of you to do it.
My son is L’Cpl Gordon Whittaker 8408 of the Kings Royal Rifles killed in action July 30 1915 in France
Gordon Whittaker 8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps
The Letters.
On enlisting and dealing with day to day army life Gordon Whittaker 8th Battalion K.R.R.C. D Coy,
wrote to his local newspaper, the Rossendale Free Press to tell them about his exciting new life. In the period April to august 1913 his letters to the same paper were of a more political theme and he received quite a few conflicting reply’s in return, however here are the Letters from his early life as a soldier, full of enthusiasm, and a true patriot, but sadly he was to lose his life just seven months later.
WITH THE KING’S ROYAL RIFLES.
LETTER FROM PRIVATE GORDON WHITTAKER
We have received the following interesting letter from Private Gordon Whittaker, formerly of Crawshawbooth, whose name will be familiar to many of our readers through the letters on political topics which he has contributed to our correspondence columns at various times: -
Kings Royal Rifle Depot,
Winchester
January 2nd, 1915.
Dear Sir, – It gives me great pleasure to write to you upon a different subject than usual. As you and your readers are perhaps aware, I have taken upon myself the duties of training to defend my King and Country. Having had nearly a week in Barracks, I can assure you and the young men of Rossendale that it is a most healthy and jovial life. You are put through your drill day after day by men fully qualified, who are very willing to teach you and who are patient. I may say that my comrade, Rifleman White, and I have had various trainers, and we find each of them good and patient. From the Sergeants down to the Lance Corporals you find every one willing to learn. Training may seem hard to some, but when you have good trainers it is excellent and easy. You may have heard that a soldier’s life is a hard one, We find it very easy. You hear the Bugle call at 6.30 a.m. when you rise and dress and clean up your room, at 7.30 a.m. you parade for breakfast, then you finish until 9.15 a.m. Then you have four drills of 45 minutes between 9.15 and 4p.m. parade at 4.30p.m. for tea and finish for the day. Of course you are not allowed to leave the Barracks before 5p.m. without leave, but you can leave at 5p.m. until 9.30p.m.without leave. At 10p.m. the bugle calls for lights out. That is the day’s work of a recruit. You may get one or two days a week on what they call “fatigue” work; that is, assisting in various departments in the Barracks such as cookhouse, gymnasium, tea rooms, etc, which only lasts a few hours per day. When you are on fatigue work you don’t drill that day. There is one thing that handicaps recruits, and that is meals. We can honestly say that it is like going to a tea party every day. When there are something like thousands parading outside the tea rooms, a new recruit would necessarily think there would be a famine, but we have the first famine to see since we arrived. You get for breakfast bread and butter as much as you like, with bacon and ham and fried tomatoes, but when you come to Friday morning you find a nice frizzled kipper or two waiting for you to devour. As for dinner, we have potatoes, beef, roasted or stewed, peas, carrots, cabbages or beans and bread as much as you like. I may say that I omitted from breakfast menu pigs feet. At tea time we get bread and butter, cheese, marmalade, and jam, and sweet bread. If you want supper you buy it yourselves and it can be got for about 2d each in the temperance canteen in the Barracks. As regards recreation there is plenty provided,. There is a large billiard room, reading room, and recreation room at the disposal of the soldiers between drills, and after drill hours until 9.p.m. One thing which makes the soldiers life happy is the merry way old soldiers welcome you, and in bedrooms, which on an average contain about twenty beds, you hear soldiers relating to their experiences and bang off singing the latest parody “On the Blue Ridged Mountains of Germany”. This makes things jolly and we have no need to be downhearted at all. In such a crisis a soldiers life is the best life for each young man to live. In conclusion I may say that we look out every day for recruits from Rawtenstall, but alas we see none. Yet there are hundreds coming in every day , men come from Rochdale, Bolton, Keighly but none from Rawtenstall. Men of Rossendale if you had heard and seen the men we have, men who have come from the firing line , you would not hesitate a minute, but join the Regiment with a fine record of Battle honours. Hoping to hear in the next news from Rossendale that there has been a big rush of recruits then Germany can pack up and retreat.-
We remain yours etc.
Rifleman GORDON WHITTAKER 8408
Rifleman J . WHITE, 8407
P.S.- I shall esteem it a favour if you publish this in your next issue.- Gordon Whittaker, late of Stone Holme Terrace Crawshawbooth.
Gordon wrote to the Free Press again and this letter appeared in the Saturday 23rd of January edition.
LETTER FROM PRIVATE GORDON WHITTAKER
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Private Gordon Whittaker, of the King’s Royal Rifles, formerly of Crawshawbooth sends the following letter from camp at Surrey.-
Sir it gives me great pleasure to write and let you know that I am A1 and in the pink. I am doing well down here. We have some good pals, and good instructors. We have been drilled rather hard since we came to Surrey. On Wednesday January 6th we had drills with rifles. We were examined by the adjutant and he passed our squad as fit for joining the Regular Forces. He said we did our drills well for the short time we had been here. We have to leave here some day next week for Aldershot to fire our course of musketry. Then we shall be full soldiers. We shall then come back to Surrey to go through what is called inoculation. Some like it , some don’t, and if you don’t have it, you don’t get leave, so I shall be inoculated, and then come home for a weeks furlough. The only fault we find here is that we have not very good accommodation. We are put up in schools and stables. All schools in the district are used for housing the soldiers. We happen to be in one. In the room where I and my pal are there are two bags of straw and three blankets and with our coats thrown on the bed at night we are kept quite warm. We have to go out to feed in big tents . The food is excellent. We keep in the best of health and though we have to rough it we feel much better when we think of the reason we are here. I think that the 8th King’s Royal Rifles will have their revenge when they get out at the front. They are supposed to be the finest shooters in the British Army, and I feel honoured in being attached to such a fine regiment. We are all trained to make the Germans Fly with very little casualties on our side. Out of the whole 8th Battalion there are very few who do not want to go to the front and do their little share. Anyhow we shall soon have the chance. About six more weeks and we shall be drafted out as efficient men. I don’t know of anything else at present but remain, yours faithfully,
GORDON WHITTAKER.
P.S.- I was pleased to see my last letter in your issue. We receive your paper every week.
A week later Gordon kept Rossendale up to speed of his experiences, with this letter in Sat January 30th 1915.
ENGLAND’S HOPE IN YOUNG MEN.
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HOW THE KAISERS BIRTHDAY PRESENT
WAS LOST
Sir, it gives me great pleasure to take up my pen and write to you once more, when we know of the Germans’ latest raid. We heard the German Navy were to make the Kaiser a beautiful birthday present of England but they had not asked permission of the ” Rulers of the Sea”- the British Navy. Sir Donald Beatty was waiting and presented the Kaiser with the sinking of the “Blucher” as a present from the British Navy with warmest congratulations. I may say that the Kaiser fully expected having England for his Birthday but his expectations were not realised. Anyone, it is the duty of our young men to realise the danger of allowing the “baby killers” to capture our shore, and the only safeguard is to be prepared to meet them and defeat them, when they make their raids. The young men should join some of the Regiments for they get some good training and nothing is lost by so doing. I may say I am delighted in being attached to one of the best shooting Regiments in the British Army, and when the 8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifles gets out there will be some dirty work , for we shall be trained and fully competent men. Old men who have finished their time with the Colours have re joined and make it their duty to prepare us, and spare no energy in showing us how to use the rifle as far as shooting and bayonetting is concerned. We are leaving here this week to go to Aldershot to fire our course of musketry, then we join the Battalion for Battalion training after which we shall have Divisional training. Then we shall be sent to the base ready to reinforce troops in the firing line. I may say that we have been inoculated. We were told by some that it was a very painful operation, but I am convinced otherwise now that I have gone through it. I am now prepared for the second dose, which we get in about ten days time. When we have been inoculated we get two days rest to get over it, but one day is enough as we were all right the day following. As regards the place we are training in it is lovely, and on Friday it was snowing all day, and when we got up on Saturday we saw one of the loveliest winter scenes one could wish to see. All the fir trees were weighted with snow, and I may say that there are hundreds of such trees here. Up the drive from the school in which we are billeted there are fir trees as high as telegraph poles, and they were curved over with the weight of snow. On our way to the doctors on Saturday afternoon for inoculation we saw several telegraph poles brought to earth by the weight of snow on the wires. Snow fell to about one foot in depth, and we were employed clearing it away on Saturday morning.- Yours sincerely,
Rifleman GORDON WHITTAKER (8408),
8TH Battalion K.R.R. “D” Company
Remonham, Hind Head, Surrey.
Early February 1915 this report appeared in the Crawshawbooth/Loveclough section of the Free press.
Private Gordon Whittaker, who was well known to readers before war broke out as a strong advocate of Tariff Reform, has been home on furlough for a few days before returning to Aldershot on Thursday. He carries his breezy air along wherever he goes, saying, he’s never felt better in his life. He would make an admirable recruiting Sergeant and whether one agrees Politically or not his enthusiasm for the Army is to be admired. Asked about how he progressed with Tariff Reform in these times he says a few discussions
Had taken place but a Political truce was observed by the rank and file.
Not every one shared Gordon’s enthusiasm and love of his Regiment as this reply appeared on the 30th of January, same page as Gordons heading about the Kaisers lost present.
A NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS
REPLY.
————————-
TO THE EDITOR
Sir -When I arrived home at Rawtenstall on Saturday for 48 hours leave I received my “Free Press” as usual and by your kind permission I wish to reply to a letter I read from a member of the 8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifles. It is only some few weeks ago I perchanced to see his name in your column of local recruits. After months of agitation for men by expert militarists he at length decided to join the K.R..R . Not five days after his enlistment he endeavoured to inspire your readers with a spirit of chivalry, and said he had taken upon himself the duties of training to defend King and country. Having had nearly a week in barracks he goes on to tell us of various trainers, jovial times, and that a soldiers life is the best life to live.
The latter I am not going to dispute- it may be, and it may not be. The life of a soldier may be a splendid one for a man of spirit. Neither is it my ambition to disparage anyone who has taken the oath, yet it is my duty (as Carlyle said) to feed you on facts. I myself am a member of the Northumberland Fusiliers, stationed at Wendover, who are being prepared by men with the fullest knowledge of military drill and the use of firearms, and whenever the N.F. have seen active service, they have done it nobly and well. The Officers are men of courtesy and competency. Your correspondent of the K.R.R. says in your last issue of the “Free Press”: “When the 8th Battalion King’s Royal Rifles get out there will be some dirty work, for we shall be fully trained by competent men”. I do not know what the Officers have instilled in the mind of their docile pupil, but I feel sure they have not wasted their energy practising “dirty work”. If your correspondent is seeking some world planet, distant from strife, or easy position, I advise him to wait until he has gained experience. There are scores of Rossendale lads , who have joined the colours months ago, some of them even winning battle honours, who do not boast about it in the Press.- I remain, yours,
Lance Corporal “A. W.,” N.F.
Gordon must have read the reply for no further letters to the free press have been observed.
He was killed in action just off the Menin road, July 30th 1915. On August 14th 1915 this letter appeared in the Free Press from one of Gordons former rivals in the Tariff Reform debate that raged in the free press in the summer of 1913.
THE LATE LANCE-CORPORAL GORDON
WHITTAKER
——————-
TO THE EDITOR
Sir, It is with deepest sorrow I write to express my sympathy with the family of Lance Corporal Gordon Whittaker. Knowing him as I did, Gordon was a young man who struggled unceasingly with the ideas of progressive thought. Just after the outbreak of war he put the love of patriotism into action, and joined the King’s Royal Rifles, and I have every reason to believe he made a cheerful and dutiful soldier. Politically our views were as wide apart as the Arctic Poles, and everyone who knew him could not help but admire him for his bold stand against austere criticism. During April to August, 1913, the readers of the “Rossendale Free Press” were confronted with many letters on the subject of Tariff Reform. Myself (under the nom de plume of Democrat) and others wrote in opposition to Tariff Reform and the party advocating it. In one of Gordon’s letters he requested me to read Longfellow’s poem-
“Be noble in every thought
And in every deed !”
The last time I met our patriot it was on Easter week. He then looked in good health, and spoke in glowing terms of the Army life. Yet ’tis true, none can foretell the results of war, when all other problems and political issues shrink into insignificance. As the Lacdaemonians in ancient days sacrificed all they possessed:-
“Go tell the Spartans thou that passest by
That here obedient to their laws we die”
Gordon’s end was a brave and courageous one, his death was the death of a martyr for freedom.
In the words of Tolstoy, “The advance of humanity towards righteousness is due not to tyrants but to martyrs” with these remarks-
The toll of war tells sadly
In the village home where he was held most dear,
Hearts are now stricken with sorrow grief and tear,
Hearts that are yearning for his kindly face,
His voice his touch to fill the silent place.
No passion flower which bloome’d for you and me,
Will ever fill the vacant chair left by he,
No mother’s last embrace and fondling kiss,
Would touch the cheek of him they miss.
No more to roam the sunkissed hills,
Of Rossendale, where those pleasant rills
Send out the joy of Nature’s music sweet,
For now he lies in dreamless sleep.
No more, no more will he wield the pen
On topics important that interest men,
No more will the Press publish his letters,
For he has died to free us from fetters.
Brave deeds, thou wrought in ancient days,
Are mirrored in histories warring page.
They tell of men who nobly fought and died
Where duty placed them side by side.
Since last he bade farewell to fathers home
He’s sacrificed his blood and bone
To fight for England while there was breath
A splendid soldier dies a hero’s death.
Yes, for honours sake the ghastly deed was done
For honours sake his duty was not to shun
His days of active life through mart and street
Are gone forever yet leave a memory sweet.R.H.HEYS.
New Mills Stockport.
Joe White No 8407 8thBattalion D Company Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Gordon’s friend Joe White mentioned earlier survived the war and became the well-known Secretary of the then Discharged Soldiers and Sailors living at 14 Cooperation Street Crawshawbooth, but alas was to succumb to the terrible influenza epidemic of 1919, dying from the illness within a day of his own father who had the Robin Hood pub in Edgeside Holme.
Joe lies buried in Rawtenstall Cemetery under a Commonwealth War Graves headstone
The letters from Gordon’s long running argument with the Democrat amongst others are reproduced here and can be found in the Rossendale Free Press of May 1913 and quite entertaining it must have been too, like a long running soap perhaps?.
THE TARIFF QUESTION
TO THE EDITOR
Sir , – Would you kindly allow me space in your valuable paper to criticise a very bold statement made by Councillor J.Taylor, J.P.. at the Scoutbottom Liberal Club and reported in your issue of March 22nd . the statement I refer to is that : “From a revenue stand point Tariff Reform would be a huge failure”. On February 28th Mr Ure made an appearance in Manchester and used a similar argument and explained it in the very same way that Councillor Taylor explains it, namely. “What taxes will you lay on? Is your Tariff for revenue or Protection?. Mr Bonar Law (our leader ) answered “We shall put on our Tariff for the sake of both, and we shall secure both”. “The answer meant that goods would come in and at the same time stay out; that a thing is and a thing is not”. The answer meant nothing of the sort. Practical experience shows that Tariff countries today employ their customs duties for protective and revenue purposes. The American Tariff gives protection and brings in revenue. The German Tariff gives protection and brings in revenue. And so will the reformed British Tariff. The explanation of the (Mr Taylor and Mr Ure ) phenomenon is that some goods are kept out by protective duties while others are able to come in despite of the Tariff . it is worth while pointing out that the Exchequer gains in either case. For, when foreign goods are kept out and products of native manufacture take their place, the “internal” revenue benefits by reason of additional production and employment so afforded. Every £100 worth of increased production means increased revenue from rates and taxes, and every man on that additional production will necessarily contribute to the nations wealth in the process of spending his wages. Mr Ures pet argument supported by Councillor Taylor is that Tariff Reform would fail to bring in anything like an adequate amount of revenue. In his latest speech he placed the sum it was likely to raise from manufactured imports at 2-1.7 million pounds. “That ” he said, was “why Tariff Reform was the most colossal swindle ever attempted on the people of this country”. The following facts largely discount his fatuous objurgation. Firstly, his estimate is not based on the avowed proposals of tariff Reformers. They propose an average duty of 10 percent on imported manufactures, the duty varying with the amount of labour represented in the commodities imported . Mr Ure takes an average duty of 5 percent . Secondly, in making his estimate Mr Ure excludes over 50 percent of our manufactured imports because they are not completely finished. Thirdly Mr. Chiozza Money M.P. a Gentleman whose statistical abilities are somewhat more conspicuous than the Lord Advocate’s, admitted so long ago as 1907 that an average 10 percent duty on imports of manufactures would raise 13 million pounds a year. Manufactured imports have increased since then so the revenue therefrom would be proportionally greater, let Councillor J.Taylor J.P. know that his “pet argument” has been exploded many times and is only a very weak argument against Tariff Reform , so weak that it would be wise to send it back to his leaders and tell them that if there is no stronger argument “Free Trade” is doomed in the country . Thanking you in anticipation, I am yours etc,
-GORDON WHITTAKER..
A swift reply came from the Democrat to Gordon’s letter in the following issue of the Free Press!
TARIFF REFORM AND IT’S MOTLEY CREW
TO THE EDITOR
Sir – Your correspondent Gordon Whittaker seems to be suffering from grave disappointment. The word “Democrat” seems to stick in the forepart of his neck. Three times in his last letter he disgorges some ranting declaration as to who this “Democrat” might be , I have no desire to choke him, and I hope he will soon get over it ; still I am quite content with my nom de plume. In my last letter to your valuable paper I gave some homely advice to those who were inimical. I was asked by Gordon Whittaker to know the meaning of Democrat and I have so far succeeded in making it’s definition as clear as the noon day sun. It is perfectly obvious that Gordon Whittaker exhibits a very pronounced form of prevarication which is characteristic of the party to which he belongs and, from his letters he has developed a state of shallow flippancy. He is too, very unstable, first he takes up position of bold attack , and then when opposition appears he suddenly evacuates that position and takes up another of mild and feeble defence. Reverting back to our previous letters , in one of them I made remarks that the American worker is no better off than the British worker , This I maintain and I conscientiously believe that the American workers with their Tariff slavery have been robbed, and have allowed their country for many years (as we are now allowing ours) to be the happy hunting ground for the protectionist trust maker.
Nowhere have the crude fallacies of protectionist argument , the contention that the protectionist duties benefit working men , and that you make a nation richer by making goods dearer, been more vigorously preached by Trust fed Politicians and a Trust owned Press. In his letter for April 19 Gordon Whittaker refers with his usual and useless pernicious bigotry in regard to the Marconi scheme. It is idiotic for the Tariffists to make accusations against Ministers for investigating in an American Company which has no connection with British Government contracts, for they would do well to compare the high standard of morality recognised by Radical administrations with that of the Tory party. While no Liberal Minister since 1882 has been allowed to hold a single directorship while in office, the two Tory administrations held between them eighty nine directorships in companies which in many cases were interested in Government contracts. Gordon Whittaker says “Democrat” would do well to look at the figures for the Presidential election , and note the large majority of 1,500,000 for Protection. I have seen those figures and made remarks about them in my last letter . It is evident “you” are under the influence of moral strabismus , and subject to reading between the lines, or you would have noticed my remarks. On this point I have proved that in the House of Representatives there is a Democratic majority, and they are at the present time getting to the heart of the fiscal mystery . They now know, and have informed the world, that Protection or Tariff Reform, which is one and the same meaning, or atrocious crime , necessarily tends to destroy and ruin a nation. The Democratic party of America have made a bold start for the removal of the heavy load of Protection which has rested so long on American shoulders. President Wilson has himself dismissed as “audacious and impudent” the pretence that high Protection is a benefit to the worker. It is true the more Democratic the Government of any country becomes, the greater it’s freedom from political corruption will grow. Surely , Mr Editor, our abstruse and zany crank is not enmeshed in the garbage of superfluity, or plainly speaking, using too many words. Gordon, did you say “scurrilous”? I am sorry; in fact I thought your hide was too thick for anything to penetrate , but after writing that sentence I imagine you would sit back in your chair and try and understand it. I hope you inwardly digest it. Doubtless you thought it sounded severe, though it only succeeded in being silly. I can almost catch a faint echo of the words you would say to yourself, ” What a terrible plight the day of my birth was to me.” It may probably give you inspiration in allowing me to tell you, there is more knowledge to-day than ever there was, an’ there’s more cranks. Could only the Tariff Reform League get rid of it’s cranks in the same way as the factories get rid of their cinders, an’ pay so much a load for cartin’ them away, the unemployed would be busy shovelin’ from now till the next Haley’s Comet appears. Before I conclude, allow me, Mr Editor, to plead once more with our forlorn and shipwrecked brother, let me ask him once more to leave those motley crew of Bandits, come out of the quagmire and abyss into which “you” have allowed “yourself “to sink so low. Abdicate “yourself ” from the party with the manners of a Yahoo, and who now in the House of Commons indulges in antics which are happily rare in the human species, which is only a mere description of the wandering tribe of Tariff Reformers.-
Thanking you Mr. Editor, once more I am etc,
-”DEMOCRAT.”
May 12th, 1913.
After Democrat’s letter, another plea from Gordon was published in the same issue
TO THE EDITOR
Sir- In answer to your correspondent “Conservative Free Trader”, of the 7th inst., let me point out that before I can make any arrangements for a debate I must know who “Democrat” is. The questions which C.F.T. says are the most important must be boldly and manfully faced, and the fallacies and mendacities of the Free Trade case must be ruthlessly exposed. There-fore if “Democrat ” is willing to defend Free Trade and condemn Tariff Reform, and is a man with reasoning abilities, then I will consider meeting him in a debate . Hoping that he will now disclose his identity and be a man and show his cause is worthy of his name, I am yours etc,
GORDON WHITTAKER
Also in the same issue that our two opponents aired their views of each other, another observer entered the fray.
TO THE EDITOR..
Sir,- I have followed during the last few weeks the controversy in your paper between “Democrat” and Gordon Whittaker, and I sincerely sympathise with “Democrat” in his effort to convert this advocate of “the motley crew”. He is certainly beyond the reach of reason ; no argument however plain and logical, appears to have had the least effect on his moribund mind. Scientists tell us that a certain stage of a man’s life the molecules of his brain solidify , and render him incapable of comprehending fresh ideas, and I look upon Mr Whittaker as a living proof of this theory. For many years he has been a persistent pest in the columns of your paper , simply repeating in a “parrot-like” form, the old stale arguments of the “Protectionist Brotherhood”. Times without number he has had his statements ridiculed and proved erroneous and absurd, still he continues to persist in the propagation of his insane doctrine. As he has not put any propositions yet that are worthy of replies, I will ask him (if he thinks he has a case) to give us in a lucid form, what he really proposes to do , stating clearly the relations of “Labour and Capital,” defining the true meaning of the terms “wealth” and “capital”, explicitly stating the ways and means by which he intends to carry on the production and distribution of wealth, so that we may for once clear the air of any uncertain matter and march on, “each siding each , the higher truth to find”. Yours etc.
ANTI-PROTECTIONIST.
Excerpt from War Diary 8th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps and the action in which Gordon Whittaker lost his life.
29/7/1915
Thursday
Sanctuary wood
Dugouts made, Communication Trenches cleared, parapets raised especially in F1. 7thK.R.R relieved 8th K.R.R about midnight. 8th Battalion returns to Ypres, A+D Coys to Ramparts near Lille Gate, B+C Coys to dug outs near White House west of Asylum.
30/7/1915
Friday
Enemy attack trenches occupied by 8th Rifle Brigade+7th Kings Royal Rifles at 3.am using Liquid fire on G3+G4. Front Line Trenches opposite Zouave Wood lost. Bombardment by our guns and counter bombardment opens at 3.45.am. Platoons of 8th Kings Royal Rifles ordered to reinforce 8th Rifle Brigade in Zouave Wood.
D.Coy (Gordon Whittaker’s) leads off getting to Zouave Wood at 6.30 am. The 3 Platoons are under Major Green and Captain Barber, remainder of Battalion goes to Sanctuary Wood.
The three Platoons of D Company reinforce A Company of the 8th Rifle Brigade at the edge of Zouave Wood and are heavily shelled and are withdrawn to Sanctuary Wood at 12.noon.
Lt Hawkes R.A.M.C is killed just past Bridge 14 on the way up to Sanctuary Wood with the Battalion.. Intensive Bombardment by our Artillery opens at 2.15pm, counter attack arranged for 2.45pm. 8th Battalion to support 7th Battalion and attack to be launched from Sanctuary Wood and the Rifle Brigades from Zouave Wood. Enemy machine gun fire makes it impossible to leave wood, edge of wood being heavily crumped, a few platoons succeed in getting some way out from wood, A and B Company’s in front line supported by C Company, D Company kept in reserve in trench near Headquarters in Sanctuary Wood
About 3.15a.m. a message was received by Colonel Green from Major Seymour saying that the 7th Battalion and our own advance was stuck up, and asking whether he should again attempt to push on. Colonel Green seeing that the Rifle Brigade attack had also been held up decided to hold on and ask for orders. The order was shortly received from the Brigadier not to press the attack further. Colonel Green issued orders for a trench to be dug through Sanctuary Wood at the point held by our firing line; this was done by all available men, and helped by the 7th Notts and Derby’s and the D.C.L.I who had sent two Companies to reinforce.
The losses had been very and the Medical arrangements were entirely inadequate and with Dr Hawkes having been killed only one Doctor was available to deal with over 500 cases. Great difficulties were experienced in finding and collecting the wounded in the thick woods, and when found in bringing them in to the dressing station. With it being impossible to bring the ambulances within 900 yards of the first aid station, many men had to remain out exposed for over 24 hours.
This coupled with the fact the Battalion had no rations for 36 hours and suffered for the want of water, caused the loss of many riflemen who might have been saved.
At about 3.a.m. a terrific rifle and machine gun fire was opened by both sides and the Artillery, Flare lights, and rockets of both sides added to the confusion of what appeared to be a heavy night attack took place.
The 7th Battalion and A and D had been relieved, and only B and C Company’s and machine Guns were present and the two of them took up positions and awaited developments under Colonel Green.
One Machine Gun under rifleman Bentley particularly distinguished itself.
At daybreak the firing died down and the two Company’s having been relieved withdrew.
The Sketch below shows the area where Gordon Whittaker fought and died along with 10 Officers, and 190 men, killed wounded or missing of his Battalion, the 8th Kings Royal Rifle Corps.
Just along the Menin Road past Hooge Crater Museum, is a Memorial Cross to the various Battalions of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps who fought in Flanders, the base of which is shown in the picture on the left, there is a similar one near Poziers, on the Somme.
2009/07/09
Private Harold Spencer
142882 66th Battalion Machine Gun Corps
(Formerly 26689 East Lancs)
Killed in action 29th March 1918
Lived 84 Clowbridge, near Burnley
Commemorated Pozieres Memorial, France.
Harold was born in 1892 to John and Agnes Spencer of 84 Burnley Road Dunnockshaw near to Loveclough.
His Fathers occupation was a Cotton Weaver and he was also a former President of the Loveclough Co-operative Society.
The Spencer’s had eight children in total, seven sons and one girl, two sons dying in infancy. Of the surviving five sons four were to serve King and Country, William the Eldest also a weaver, was with the Royal Artillery in France, Norris third eldest was with the Motor Transport section of the Royal Engineers whilst Frank who joined the Navy in February 1915 was posted on the North Sea.
It was with the East Lancashire regiment that Harold enlisted at Rawtenstall in March 1916 and subsequently transferred to B Coy of the 66th Battalion Machine Gun Corps where he saw much fighting in the Somme district and Vimy Ridge. In June 1917 he was wounded in the thigh and was evacuated to the Military Hospital at Exeter returning to active service in October 1917. On the 20th of March 1918 (the day before the German spring offensive) Harold met his elder brother Michael near St Quentin and spent a couple of hours in his company, probably talking over old times, but this would be the last time they would meet.
Harold Spencer was killed in action on the 29th of March 1918 aged 25, just nine days after the chance meeting with Michael. Contact was made with the Red Cross to see if he was a prisoner of war but to no avail.
Harold has no known grave but is commemorated on the Poziers memorial to the missing in Poziers British Cemetery on the Somme which is located on the West side of the main Albert to Bapaume road the D929.
In 1916 it was known as Tramway Crossing or Red Cross Corner, a place for field ambulances to bring their dead from the battlefields around there. The Cemetery was designed by W.H.Cowlishaw, being dedicated in 1932 and including the memorial to the missing in the form of panels for each regiment, and relates to the crisis period of march and April 1918 when the Allied fifth Army was driven back over the Somme Battlefields so dearly won. Harold is commemorated on Panels 90 to 93.
Being part of the Fifth Army the 66th faced the onslaught of the German offensive of March 21st 1918, and held the line at Carpeza Copse near the village of Hesbecourt, east of Peronne, where they were at the forward edge of the Battle zone. The 66th Battalion held their front line but with very heavy losses, over 700 killed on the first day, and were pushed back beyond Peronne.
2009/07/08
Private George Miller
13509 3rd Coldstream Guards
Died of Wounds 16th September 1916, aged 19, Lived on Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth
Buried La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie , France
George came to Loveclough from Bolton around 1912, he was born in the Bradshaw area of Bolton to George senior and Mary Jane and they lived for a time at Bramhall Lancs.George worked at Loveclough Print works prior to the war, a large mill (now a private housing estate) at the bottom of Commercial Street, which is in turn, opposite the old National School. He lived on Burnley Road in Loveclough and on enlisting in November 1914 at Rawtenstall he joined the Coldstream Guards 3rd Battalion, regimental number No 13509 disembarking overseas on the 11th June 1915. He had seen much fighting and was a participant in the Battle of Loos in the autumn of 1915.
George was wounded in a further attack a year later, in the Multidivisional attack that included the Guards Brigade on the 15th of September 1916 at a village called Ginchy in Northern France, the same day that Tanks were used for the first time. George was evacuated to No 21 Casualty Clearing Station at La Neuville, a suburb of Corbie where he subsequently died from his wounds the next day on the 16th September 1916.
He is buried in Plot 2 Row E Grave 52 in La Neuville British Cemetery, at the base of his headstone chosen by his family reads the words, He Laid His Richest and Best Gift, His Life, Upon the Altar of Duty. George was aged just 20 years.
La Neuville is a suburb of Corbie separated by the Railway Line from Amiens to Albert and was close to the broad gauge railway line so that ambulance trains could be brought up direct to 21 C.C.S and evacuate men without using motor ambulances.
Brief history on 21 C.C.S
21 Casualty Clearing station began with Lieutenant Colonel Clements reporting to Aldershot on July 25th 1915, and met his Officers detailed for personnel of the newly formed 21C.C.S. They sailed for Le Havre from Southampton at 5pm on the 27th of July 1915 aboard the British India S.S.Cheybassa. Suffering a wet and stormy crossing they landed at Le Havre at 10.45 the next day and stayed at Le Havre until the 25th of August. After a day in Rouen, where they drew dental gear, they arrived at Corbie at 12.30 pm on the 27th of August 1915.
On the 29th of August 1915 21 C.C.S took over the Hubert Briere Factory at La Neuville under the instructions of the D.M.S third army, and spent the next two weeks repairing, cleaning,
Whitewashing, and making it fit for its purpose. The War Diary extract for No 21 C.C.S for September1916 reads.
September 13/1916
Received Operation order No8 D.M.S Fourth Army
This C.C.S will be held in reserve until required from midnight.
14/15th September (weather showery) No patients evacuated today.
September 16th (date of George Millers Death)
Number of patients evacuated today is.
Officers 24
Other ranks 462
then pushed forward to the Brown Line from which the enemy had evacuated. Consolidation was begun about 6.pm. and the enemy made a counter attack, which was easily repulsed.
After dark, rations of water and ammunition were brought up.
Total Casualties
Officers 11Germans 17
Total admissions for the whole of September are,
Officers 447
Other ranks 6,481
Germans 176
September total being 7,104
Also a point of note, is during the 3rd Battalion Coldstream’s attack, Lt Col John Vaughan Campbell won his Victoria Cross, his citation says..
“Seeing that the first two waves of his Battalion had been decimated by machine gun and rifle fire, he took personal command of the third line, rallied his men (this he did with the aid of a hunting horn!) and led them against the enemy machine guns, capturing the guns and killing the personnel”, later in the day after consultation with other unit commanders, he again rallied the survivors.
This action became known by some as the Tallyho V.C.
War Diary Extract
1st Guards Brigade
3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards
September 15th 1916
At 6a.m. the K.O.Y.L.I and 1 Tank advanced on our left to clear our position on the left flank where the situation was somewhat obscure.
At 6.20 the assault was launched and the Battalion went over in four half-company waves at 50 pace intervals.
The attack was met with great opposition from the sunken road about 300 yards from our trenches, after this, the Green Line (an objective that day) was taken without much opposition.Here the Battalion re organised, and then pushed forward to the Brown Line, from which the enemy had evacuated. Consolidation was begun about 6.p.m., and the enemy made a counter attack, which was easily repulsed. After dark, rations of water and ammunition were brought up.
Total Casualties were, Officers 11, Other Ranks 414, one of which was George Miller.
The Picture below is of Pte George Miller’s Headstone in La Neuville British Cemetery France, with his family’s chosen words at the foot of the stone.
Private Albert Lord 265141 4th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, A Coy No 2 Platoon, Killed in Action 20th November 1917 Lived at 25 Scott Street Burnley Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Albert Lord married Amy Gregson on the 29th of June 1911 at Providence Chapel, Albert was a native of Crawshawbooth, and came from Loveclough. In Albert’s working civilian life he was a weaver, at Messrs Landless’s mill Clowbridge, and at that time their home address was 1001 Burnley Road Rawtenstall. Later when Albert was on active service the address would change to 25 Scott Street Burnley. Born in October 1884 he attested aged 31 years and two months at Rawtenstall on the 10th of December 1915, and on the 11th of December 1915, he moved to Army Reserve, and was mobilised on the 16th of June 1916, transferring on the 26th June 1916 to the 4th East Lancashire Regiment. On the 1st of January 1917 Albert now Pte Albert Lord number 265141, found himself being transferred to the 12th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment with whom he would stay until the 17th of July 1917. On that date he would board a ship at Folkestone, destination Boulogne, where he would disembark on the 18th of July1917. On arrival he moved to the famous Bullring at Etaples being finally posted to the 1/4th Kings own Royal Lancaster’s and joined Battle on the7th of August 1917. The last seen of Pte Albert Lord of the1/4th Kings Own Royal Lancaster regiment was during the Diversionary attack on the 20th of November 1917 which was to aid the Battle of Cambrai, the latter being an initial success. Albert’s wife Amy wrote to both the Burnley Express and the Rossendale Free Press during the november/december of 1918 for any information relating to her husband but to no avail. Albert was eventually declared dead by the War Council on the 13th of August 1919 prior to this date on the 22 of July 1918 his wife Amy by Army Order received a weekly pension of 13 shillings and nine pence.
Albert Lord was No 265241 of the 1/4th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment and was in A. Coy. The Battalion landed at Boulogne in May 1915 to the 164th Brigade, 55th West Lancashire Division. They were territorial division whose motto was “They win or die who wear the rose of Lancaster”.
Albert was reported as missing on the 20th of November 1917, which was the first day of the Cambrai offensive, begun in order to smash the then impregnable Hindenberg line, and initially went well.
His wife writing to the Burnley Express in late 1918 to see if anyone knew of his whereabouts gave her address as 25 Scott Street Cheapside Burnley. In the express article Albert is described as being 33 years old and a native of Crawshawbooth where he was well known and respected, previous to joining the army he was also connected with St Johns in that district and was also a weaver at Messrs Landless Mill Clowbridge. An appeal by Albert’s wife in the Rossendale Free Press on December 7th 1918 came to nothing and he was later concluded as being dead.
Albert has no known grave, but is one of the thousands commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing his Reference being between Pier 5 face D, and Pier 12 face B.
The Thiepval Memorial, (pictured above) is to the missing of the Somme,and contains some 72,000 names of Officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector prior to the 20th of March 1918 and have no known grave of which 90% of the commemorated died between July and November 1916.
Unveiled on the 31st of July by the Prince of Wales and in the presence of the President of France, the memorial was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and built between 1928 and 1932.
As did many other wives in the district, Albert’s wife wrote to the Mayor of Rawtenstall for the Mayors Card, a personal commemoration of his life given.
Brief account of attack in which Albert Lord Fell in action.
The 55th West Lancs were in fact the southern most limit of the attack in the Battle of Cambrai. Tanks were used en masse for the battle, lessons having been learned from their experience with them in September 1916 on the Somme, around Flers.
On the 1st of November1917 the 1/4th were at Lempire, east of Peronne under Lt Colonel G.B.Balfour who returned from sick leave and took Command of the Battalion.
By the 3rd of November 1917 they were at a village called Longavesnes where the Battalion spent the day cleaning equipment, clothes, arms and billets as the C.O. had inspected the billets that morning.
During the following two weeks the days were spent training for the coming battle, which included practicing attacks on dummy trenches.
In the afternoons there was time for football competitions, which also had the effect of keeping the men in a very fit state for the battle to come.
The war diary extract 1/4th KORL for the 10th and 11th November 1917 reads….
8.30 am, Battalion practice attack, 2.30 pm Football match, the Probables versus the Possibles the result being a win 1-0 for the Probables.
Presentations for earlier Football Competitions went on through November 1917 before the attack on the 20th, as did a match between 1/4th KORLR and the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers resulting in a 3-0 thrashing for the Fusiliers.
Football was played right up to the final on the 19th of November 1917 whilst still a part of their fitness regime offered light relief from the training and the Battle to come.
20/11/1917 Zero hour.
The Battalion Attacked on a frontage of three companies, A, B, and C, with a platoon from the remaining D company attached to the former company’s.
Zero was set for 6.20 a.m., and two minutes later the first line went over the top and advanced towards the German line, ten seconds later the second line followed them, these two lines (in which would have been Albert Lord A Coy) dashed towards the enemy trenches and encountered the heavy clumps of Cheveux de frise which was a very thick barbed wire.
In spite of everything they got across with few casualties and fifteen minutes later the commander of No 2 Platoon reported that he had mopped up his allocated section of enemy trench and then tried but failed to get in touch with B Company, so, leaving a sentry group they proceeded in working successfully up one of the trenches known as Loot Lane. But by 7.a.m. they were in difficulty, and with meeting with strong opposition had to send for reinforcements and supplies of bombs (Mills Grenades) that duly arrived ten minutes later, and putting these to use the enemy gave way.
At 7.45 they had reached the top of the trench known as Loot Lane and formed a kind of barricade known as a block to help consolidate the gained trench. They were under constant attack from the enemy and as many men as could be spared remained and held the block whilst the rest under Lieutenant Clark worked northwards up the trench bombing enemy dugouts and causing many casualties among them.
Meanwhile the Germans had intensified their efforts to against the men holding the block and got between them and Lieutenant Clark, information was dispatched to Lieutenant Clark but to no avail as he was killed at 10.30a.m. by machine gun fire between the trenches known as Bony Avenue and Claymore trench with others being wounded going to his aid.
By 12.40 a.m. it was all over, the Germans were too superior in numbers and ammunition, they chased the British out of their front line wounding and overpowering some in the process, but the majority excluding Albert Lord made it back to their start line.
Albert could have lost his life anywhere in this attack, along with the other 80 reported as missing, 11 confirmed dead, and 120 being wounded.
2009/07/07
Alexander Howarth Service No. 12, Y Company, 9th Lancashire Fusiliers, was Killed in Action on the 16th August 1917. He lived on Burnley Road Clowbridge, and is Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial Belgium.
Popular Clowbridge Sergeant Reported Killed.
The following letter has been received by Mrs T Howarth Burnley Road Clowbridge: – “Dear Mrs Howarth, I am very sorry to inform you that your son, Sergeant A. Howarth, was killed in action on the 16th of this month, he was killed instantaneously by a bullet wound to the head. I unfortunately was not there at the time, but the men say that he was splendid. As you know, he has been in Y Company for over a year and a half, and was made Sergeant after September 26th, when the Battalion was on the Somme. He was a fine Sergeant, and commanded a platoon himself. The men thought the world of him; he was always cheery and always willing to do anything for anybody. Sympathising with you in your great loss, yours truly, Captain A. Parker, Officer Commanding Y Company, 9th Lancashire Fusiliers. Sergeant Alexander Howarth was 31 years of age, and was a time expired man having served thirteen years in the army, seven of which he spent in India, and one in Egypt, previous to the outbreak of war. He was on Furlough for a month last Christmas, but had then offered his services to his country until he had a record of 21 years service. Though he had seen much fighting, he had been fortunate, sustaining no serious injury, but was badly gassed in April 1916. Son of Thomas and Betsy Alexander was killed in action on the 16th of August 1917, his service number being 12. He has no known grave but is commemorated at Tyne Cot Military Cemetery Belgium on the Lancashire Fusiliers panels 54 to 60.
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