Preston Catholic College
The Names
Hubert Baines
Eldest son of William and Sara Baines of 9 Fishergate Hill
Occupation: Professional Soldier
Captain (Adjutant) (H says Acting Capt) 75th Carnatic Infantry (Indian Army)
Died Tuesday 22 October 1918 Aged 20
Killed near Aden, Died of Wounds
Buried at Maala Cemetery, Yemen, Grave - Special Plot 3/2
Other Details: President of the Sodality and Head (Boy) of the College for two years. Football First XI. Left the College in 1915 and suggested the “Sons of the Eagle” name for the College Magazine. Came sixth out of 2000 in the Indian Army Examinations in February 1916. Commissioned November 1916 and promoted to Acting Captain November 1917. Shot three times while moving to engage Turkish troops ten miles North of Aden. “The doctors say…he was the pluckiest lad they had ever seen… (he) was immensely liked by all ranks…I recommended him for an MC for good service.” CO’s letter to parents. H PRH PCCM LDP CWGC
Reginald Baines
Eldest son of Mrs Baines of “The De Tabley Arms”, Ribchester, late of “The Victoria and Station”, Fishergate, Preston.
Private 13099, 7th Bn (“Preston Pals”) Loyal North Lancs
Killed on Friday 17 November 1916
Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 11A
Other details: Death notice by Mrs Baines LDP 2 December 1916. Pg article 16 December 1916: L/Cpl David Taylor wrote to Mrs Baines, “(He) fell after a successful advance, killed in a dugout with one of the officers. You have the deepest sympathy of all that remains of the Preston Pals.” LDP PG CWGC
Adrian Brown
Son of Captain Charles R Brown RAF, director of Messrs Brown and Co
Captain, 46 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Killed in accident, Wednesday 15 January 1919 at the Aircraft Acceptance Park, near Alexandra Park, Manchester, Aged 24
Manchester Southern Cemetery Grave G/RC/39
Other details: Accomplished and brave pilot, much praised by Squadron Officer. Commissioned in the RFC in 1916 and showed himself to be “clever and fearless”. After a serious crash in 1917 he recuperated and was assigned to ferrying planes over to France, returning to active service in May 1918. Took part in bombing and reconnaissance operations over Cambrai and St Quentin, and was shot through the thigh while in flight over the trenches in November 1918. PCCM says that the accident happened when Brown was testing a new Bristol two seater fighter. Instead of taking ballast he took a passenger, soldier of the KORL regiment, recovering in a local hospital. After a good take-off the plane had travelled 200 yards at 100 feet in height when a left turn changed to a spin and the aircraft crashed and burst into flames. The two men’s spines were broken and therefore they were killed outright. LDP (16 January 1919) says the passenger was Pte Cafferty MM of the KORL, native of Lancaster who left a widow and a son. He was recovering from war injuries at Nell Lane Military Hospital, had been wounded twice before and awarded the MM for capturing a machine gun in September 1918. The plane sideslipped, crashed and burst into flames. Both men were enveloped in a sheet of flame. The debris continued to burn for two hours and rescue was therefore impossible. PCCM CWGC LDP
Reuben Brown
Private 12517, 1st Bn Scots Guards
Died Friday 17 May 1918
Arras Memorial Pas de Calais Bay 1
CWGC
Robert Challoner
Son of Charles and Ann Challoner of 10 Church Road, Lytham
Private 13320, 2nd/5th Bn King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Died Sunday 26 May 1918 Aged 25
Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme Grave 11/D/20
Other details: Joined up 6 September 1914 at Lytham’s first recruiting meeting. Trained at Tidworth and went to Gallipoli in June 1915 where he was wounded in the knee. Invalided to Malta and to Liverpool where he was discharged. Transferred to KORL and was sent to France. Seriously wounded during a bombardment in front of Gommecourt and died same day.
PCCM CWGC
Leo N. Chaloner
Husband of Alice Chaloner, son of Edward and M.E. Chaloner of 118 Friargate and 10 Bank Place and brother of Wilfrid Chaloner (see below).
Occupation: Plumber and Painter
Private 305806, Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport)
Died at Fleetwood 15 March 1919 at Fleetwood of Malaria fever, Aged 28
Buried St John the Evangelist, Poulton-le-Fylde
Other details: Attended Fox Street School and PCC. Joined Army in 1914, reserved for special training and attached to the Italian Army. Served at Corfu, Salonica. Albania, Macedonia and Serbia. Contracted Malaria in the Middle East and sent to Malta to recuperate. Death notices LDP 18 March 1919 (1) from his wife Alice Chaloner at 11 Albert Street, Fleetwood. (2) from his parents Mr and Mrs E Chaloner.
H PRH LDP PCCM
Wilfrid Chaloner
Son of Edward and M.E. Chaloner of 118 Friargate and 10 Bank Place, brother of Leo Chaloner (see above)
Occupation: Plumber and Painter
Private 305806 (2782) 1st/8th Bn (Irish) The King’s Liverpool Regiment
Died 8 August 1916 Aged 24, PCCM says 23, at Guillemont, posted as missing at first.
Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 1D 8B and 8C
Other details: Fought through the battles of 1915 and was hospitalised at Rouen. Cut off with others in an attack on Waterlot Farm near Guillemont and “lost” in the withdrawal. LDP death notice from family 13 July 1917, though PCCM shows that death date only confirmed by military authorities in October 1917
LDP H PRH PCCM
Leo Craven
Son of Richard and Elizabeth Craven of Preston and husband of the late Isabella Wilson Craven of Shildon, Durham
Lieutenant 6th Mountain Bty, Royal Garrison Artillery
Died in hospital at Dehra Dun, India on 31 October 1920
Buried in Dehra Dun Cemetery and comm. on 1914-1918 War Memorial, Chennai, Madras and on family grave in Preston Cemetery
CWGC
Francis(Frank) John Duckett
Son of John J and M A Duckett of 39 Chaddock Street
Occupation: Engineer
Private A449, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment)
Died 16 March 1916 (PCCM says 17) Aged 28 (PCCM says 29)
Balleuil Communal Cemetery Grave II/C/201
Other details: Left College in 1899 and attended Mount St Mary School, Sheffield until 1903. One of four brothers, one killed in the War, Vincent (see below) and cousin of John Duckett also killed (see below). Suffered serious leg wounds and died hours later. Went to Canada in 1913 for employment. Returned in 1914 in the Canadian Army before being posted to Flanders in 1915.
CWGC PCCM H
John Duckett
4 Christ Church Street
Cousin of Francis Duckett (see above)
Occupation: Draughtsman at Manchester Dynamo Co
Private 10766, “C” Coy, 1st Bn Scots Guards
Killed at Loos on Monday 27 (PCCM says 25) September 1915
Loos Memorial Panels 8 and 9
Other details: Joined up in August 1914 with brother, Tom, who was captured on the day JD was killed. Was seen by brother and another soldier dead to the right of the Chalk Pit, where they were attacking, from bullet wound but reported missing until June 1916. Brother POW for three years.
PCCM PRH CWGC H
Vincent George Duckett
Son of John and Margaret Alice Duckett of 39 Chaddock Street, brother of Francis Duckett and cousin of John Duckett (both above)
Occupation: Parr’s Bank, Maryport
Second Lieutenant, 14th Bn attd. 11th Bn Durham Light Infantry
Died 23 March 1918 Aged 22
Pozieres Memorial Panels 68 to 72
Other details: Joined up in 1914. Saw action in Egypt, near Gommecourt during Battle of the Somme and Vimy Ridge. Commissioned officer November 1917. Killed during the Retreat. CWGC H PRH PCCM
Francis Eccles
Son of Peter and Ann Eccles (nee Ball)
Private 40791 57th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps
Died 8 January 1918 of pleurisy at Chicester Aged 25
St Gregory’s Catholic Church, Chorley, South East corner
Other details: Regarded by his teachers at the College as having excellent talents. Joined RAMC in October 1914 and remained with 57th Ambulance for the duration. Always regarded as A1 fit, he became ill and underwent several operations for pleurisy. Died of this, exposure and other hardships in Chicester Hospital.
PCCM CWGC
William Frederick Finch
Son of Thomas and Margaret Finch of 5, Little Lane, Longridge, Preston
Private 49592, 21st Bn Manchester Regiment
Died Sunday 13 May 1917, Aged 30
Arras Memorial Bay No 7
Other details: Cut off from his platoon and severely wounded in the fighting round Bullecourt, with stretcher bearers unable to reach him because of shellfire. Was reported missing for a time, then thought to be a prisoner. He left the College in 1900.
CWGC PCCM
Walter Ford
Private, 4157 1st/4th Bn Loyal North Lancs
Occupation: Printer in the USA
Killed by shellfire Saturday 19 September 1916 Aged 26
Thiepval Memorial, Somme Pier and Face 11A
Other details: Born 24 May 1890. Left the College in 1905 to learn the trade of printing with Messrs Watson of Corporation Street in Preston. Having completed his time he joined a cousin in the USA to work in a printing mill. He returned in 1915 to Preston to join up and was killed about a year later. After capturing a German trench he was buried in debris caused by shellfire and he has no known grave. PCCM says about his return to enlist, “May God reward him for his noble self sacrifice. It was the call of conscience and duty which brought him to his death…He always thought of others more than himself…”
CWGC PCCM QLR
Philip Gardner
Son of William and Sarah Gardner of Yorkrakine, Western Australia
Occupation: Bush farmer
Private 2419 51st Bn Australian Infantry
Died Saturday 13 October 1917 Aged 24
Menin Gate Ypres Panels 7/17/23/25/27/31
Other details: Born 1893, started at the College in 1904 and left in 1909 when his family emigrated to Australia to farm in the Bush of Western Australia. Volunteered in 1916 and trained for six months as a Signaller in England and went to France in June 1917.
CWGC PCCM
Joseph Green
Of 10 Bispham Street, Preston
Occupation: Teacher at Brownedge RC Boys’ School from 2 October 1911
Private 21939 11th Bn King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Died of Wounds 26 July 1917
Roquigny-Equancourt British Cemetery Manancourt, Somme Grave 1/F/1
Other details: Sent to France as a Signaller in January 1916 and wounded in the shoulder later in that year. Pupil at the College 1904-08 as an older student. Early education at St Edward’s, Liverpool, then worked at the Post Office and later at Cockshutt’s solicitors. After passing the Oxford Locals, became a Pupil Teacher for a year before completing his teacher training at Hammersmith. He was shot at 7-30 pm and died in hospital three hours later.
CWGC PRH H PCCM
John Harrop
Lieutenant, Essex Regiment
Wilfrid Holden
Only son of Edward and Catherine Holden of “Gainsborough”, Ribbleton Avenue, Preston
Occupation: Teacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Boys’ School, Preston
Lance Corporal, 37232, 12th Bn (West Somerset Yeomanry) Somerset Light Infantry
Died 2 September 1918 at Peronne Aged 27
Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension Grave V/B/16
Other details: Death Notice LDP 4 October 1918 from family. Requiem Mass was said at St Joseph’s Church, Skeffington Road. An athlete, he won his regiment’s sports championship in 1916. Fought in Egypt, with General Allenby’s forces in Palestine (at Jerusalem, Gaza, Beersheba and Jericho). Sent to France as a trained Lewis gunner, June 1918. Mrs Holden contributed to PWMF 1925
PCCM LDP H PRH PWMF
Joseph “Joe” Holt
Occupation: Draper in family business
Private, 204007 2nd/5th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers
Died Tuesday 31 July 1917 aged 18
Menin Gate, Ypres Panel 33
Other details: Reported missing for a time. Came to the College in 1911 at the age of twelve and left in 1914. Ten of his class served with the Forces and Hubert Baines (see above) and Harry Tommony (see below) died as a result of their service. Went into battle with a rosary round his neck. His father died a few months after JH was killed.
PCCM CWGC
Sylvester Horn
Son of Jeannette and the late William Henry Horn, husband of Mary Angela horn (née McGoldrick) of 26 Oban Road, Anfield, Liverpool
Chief Engineer, SS Aylevarro (Limerick), Mercantile Marine
Died Sunday 7 October 1917 Aged 43
Tower Hill Memorial, London
Other details: Born at Myerscough near Preston. Attended the College when it was still the Catholic Grammar School in 1884. Was a very strong Catholic and was said not to know what fear was. Father of three sons who attended the Jesuit school of St Francis Xavier in Liverpool and was brother of Fr Henry Horn SJ. The ship was an armed coastal steamer, torpedoed without warning with a loss of twenty crew, including the Master.
PCCM CWGC
(Herbert) Edward “Eddie” or “Ted” (James) Hothersall
Youngest son of Edward Gregory Hothersall and Elizabeth Hothersall of Whitburn House, Garstang Road, Preston
Occupation: Estate Manager of horse and cattle ranch in New Zealand
Private 39660 1st Bn Auckland Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Died Wednesday 3 April 1918 Aged 23
Grevillers (New Zealand) Memorial, France
Other details: Also educated at St Francis Xavier School, Mayfield, Sussex. Left England at age 18 and became successful farmer in NZ. Joined up in September 1916. Wounded on first day in France in July 1917. Was killed by a shell after listening work in No Man’s Land during the last great push by the Germans. His parents contributed to the PWMF. Death Notice PG 27 April 1918.
PG H PCCM CWGC PWMF
Arthur Houghton
Lived with his wife at 42 Bow Lane
Only son of the late Councillor Thomas Houghton and Mrs Houghton
Occupation: Trainee Dentist
Second Lieutenant, 3rd Bn Worcester Regiment
Killed Friday 22 March 1918 Aged c34 at Cambrai
Arras Memorial Bay 6
Other details: Joined Army in 1915, spent some time in Veterinary Corps. Commissioned in January 1918. PG Death Notice 30 March 1918
PRH H PCCM CWGC PG
John Hubberstey
Occupation: Regular Soldier
Private 8141, 2nd Bn Scots Guards
Died 26 October 1914
Menin Gate Panel 11
Other Details: Left the College in 1909, worked in father’s office, then joined the Army in 1910. Went to Belgium with the first draft of Scots Guards. Killed by a shell during a heavy bombardment while the German Army tried to break through to Calais. Others were injured, mutilated and energised, but JH was said to be unmarked at the time of death.
PCCM CWGC H
Hugh Lawrence Jackson
Son of Henry and Annie Jackson of Hollybrook, New Longton. Originally from Bolton.
Pioneer, 48133, 103 Field Company Royal Engineers
Died Sunday 14 May 1916 Aged 23
Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, West Vlaanderen, Belgium
Other details: Educated at the College and at St Mary’s College, Chesterfield. All round athlete and a member of Horwich RMI cricket team. Enlisted in September 1914 and a letter to his parents from an officer described his courage, spirit and exemplary conduct as a trusted soldier. Killed, with his Section Sergeant, hit in the head and leg by a shell fragments and was buried the next day. “…he was popular with everyone owing to his unfailing cheerfulness. I myself shall miss him very much.” (CO’s letter)
CWGC PCCM
John “Jack” Dennis Jenkinson
Son of John R and Norah Jenkinson of 9 Bolton Street, later of 6 Garden Lea, Ulverston
Occupation: Professional Soldier
Trooper (CWGC says Private), 4494 “D” Squadron, 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) PRH adds “Death or Glory”
Died of Wounds on Sunday 25 November 1917 Aged 19 at 61st Field Ambulance
Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, Nord, France Grave 111/B/3
Other details: A master horseman, he was allowed to join the Cavalry directly from the College in 1912 aged 14, by special permission of the War Office. Direct descendant of soldiers who served as early as the Peninsular War, many of whom were in the 17th Lancers. His great grandfather was a RSM for 25 years. Initially in the 16th Lancers at The Curragh in Ireland, was drafted into the 17ths in Sialkot, then in India, and appointed trumpeter. Was left behind at the outbreak of War and was temporarily employed by the Catholic Soldiers’ Institute, where he regularly served Mass. Sent Back to The Curragh in December 1914. While moving through the Suez Canal his ship was attacked by the Turkish Army. In Ireland his skills as a horseman were used to train and coach others and break in remounts. Was put into action during the Irish Easter Uprising in Dublin and was in action against the rebels in Sackville and O’Connell Streets. Volunteered for every cavalry draft sent to the regiment at The Curragh. Again refused permission to go to France because of age, despite his abilities as marksman, machine-gunner and bomber. While in Ireland was advised to apply for commission but he refused. Sent to France on 30 October 1917, after home leave, and died of gunshot wounds on 25 November, during the consolidation of the British advance at Cambrai. Numerous letters of sympathy sent to his parents by the Officer Commanding and other men of the regiment. His brother, Richard, had died only shortly before JJ. Death Notice LDP 10 December 1917; PG article 15 December 1917. Father was a Superintendent in the Lancashire Constabulary. H PRH LDP PG PCCM CWGC
Hubert Stanislaus Lovelace
Only surviving son of the late John and Magdelan Lovelace of 2 St Austin’s Place, Preston.
Occupation: Clerk in Barclay’s Shipping Office, Manchester
Private 23513, 1st Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Died of gunshot wounds Tuesday 24 October 1916 Aged 32 (CWGC says 30) in 1st Australian Hospital, Rouen.
St Sever Cemetery, Rouen, Grave B/14/1
Other details: Left the College in 1900 and was educated at St Edward’s College, Liverpool, until 1906. Joined the Army in May 1916 and went to France on 1 September 1916. Was in hospital for two weeks before his death. The Catholic priest who buried him wrote to his parents. Misses N, E and M Lovelace of the address above contributed to the PWMF in 1924. Death Notice and article PG 4 November 1916. PG H PRH CWGC PCCM
Alec (Alexander, “Sandy”) MacLachlan
Younger son of Emily Keighley (formerly MacLachlan) and the late John MacLachlan of Alston Hall Villa, Grimsargh, Preston; formerly of Ribbleton Avenue
Corporal (PRH says Sergeant) 23/233 1st Bn 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Killed in action Monday 4 November 1918 at Le Quesnoy, France Aged 28
Romières Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France Grave IX/A/18
Other details: Death Notice from Mother LDP 21 November 1918. Emigrated to New Zealand some years before the War. Prevented from enlisting by a work agreement, he joined up in May 1915. On Christmas Day 1915 he was in action against Turkish-led Arabs in Egypt. Took part in the Somme offensive in France in 1916 and went over the top when tanks were first used. June 1917 was hit by shrapnel at Battle of Messines and returned to England and revisited the College. He was killed in almost the last offensive of the War. His officer wrote in a letter, “(He) was the most popular and capable NCO in “A” Company. I had reason to bless his cheerful disposition.” Originally buried “…in a little triangular copse alongside the railway line just south of Le Quesnoy…” Officer’s letter. )(PCCM)
LDP PCCM H PRH CWGC
Philip McGiveney DSO
Son of Patrick and Mary McGiveney of 28 Great Avenham Street, Preston.
Occupation: Manager of Freeman, Hardy and Willis Ltd in Burnley
Second Lieutenant, 17th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers
Died of wounds 2 June 1918 Aged 36
Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, Somme Grave 111/A/12
Other details: Volunteered for the Liverpool Pals (5th Bn The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) in August 1914 with other College former pupils, George (see below), William and Henry Sharples and was seriously wounded in action. After recovering in hospital in Bolton he was selected for a commission and gazetted to the Lancashire Fusiliers. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order posthumously for the action in which he was fatally wounded. The announcement of the award in the London Gazette of 24 September reads: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. He captured the first objective with his platoon. His company was subsequently ejected by a counter-attack. He, with a handful of men, returned to the attack and retook the objective. He was wounded in the face, but went on, single handed and bombed and took prisoner the occupants of three posts. Later, arranging another bombing party, and advancing again, he was badly wounded in the spine and had to be taken away. It was due to his splendid courage and dash that his company recovered from its reverse and succeeded in re-engaging and inflicting severe casualties on the enemy.” PCCM says: “He was beloved by all for his genial disposition and genuine, self-forgetting charity.”
PCCM CWGC
William Patrick McGuinness
85 James Street, Frenchwood, Preston
Occupation: Certified Schoolteacher
Corporal 9554, 3rd Bn Royal Fusiliers
Died 4 November (PRH) or December (PCCM) 1917 in the Balkans (PCCM) or Bulgaria (PRH) Aged 23
No Grave or Memorial
Other details: Attended the College from 1907-1912 and was in the same class and regiment as John McHugh (see below). Having passed the Senior Oxford Locals he became a teacher and was engaged in this when he joined the Army. Wrote to PCCM in summer 1917. Talked about “our dear old College” and commented on the good standard of the magazine which had been sent out to him in Macedonia. Voiced regrets about the deaths of Jack McHugh (“he kept us in roars of laughter”) and John Hubberstey (see above and below). “I got quite a shock when …I came across “Wounded” behind my own name…I have not succeeded in being hit by any of Johnny Bulgar’s lead…I am in a country called Macedonia and the least I say about the place the better.”
Served with the expedition at Salonika when he was reported missing in a retreat from superior Bulgarian forces. Thought to be prisoner of war, but later said to be dead. Reported dead in PCCM June 1918, then shown as “missing”. This last part was supplied to PCCM by his parents who were still waiting for the rest of the Royal Fusiliers engaged in the Balkans to return to get more information. The information concerning his death is thought to be suspect. As far as the CWGC is concerned he is still unconfirmed as a casualty by the Army, and therefore has no nationally recognised commemoration of any kind.
H PRH PCCM
John “Jack” McHugh
Son of Edward (died before 1922) and Helena McHugh of 5, Fitzroy Street, Preston
Occupation: Schoolteacher
Private 9594 7th Bn Royal Fusiliers
Killed in a bomb blast Monday 13 November 1916 Aged 20
Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, Somme Grave VIII/B/7
Other details: Death Notice LDP 21 December 1916. Was in the same class at the College and same regiment as William McGuinness (see above). Went to train as a teacher at St Mary’s College, Hammersmith (Strawberry Hill after 1925) after his pupil teacher year in an elementary school. Excelled at sport especially Cricket, Football and Rowing. “He used to give us very amusing accounts of how he taught music and scales to infants in his class…” PCCM January 1917. “…he kept us in roars of laughter…” William McGuinness (see above) PCCM September 1917. Was engaged in heavy fighting around Beaumont Hamel between 11 and 13 November as a bomber, and was killed instantly by an enemy bomb.
LDP H PCCM CWGC
Thomas Morris
Second son of Thomas and Jane Morris of 34 Adelphi Street
Occupation: Provision Dealer (family business)
Corporal S/27845, 16th Bn The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own)
Died Monday 25 March 1918 Aged 21 (22 LDP), in German Field Hospital at Villers Foucan, after being taken prisoner.
Villers Foucan Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme Grave III/C/7
Other Details: Death Notice by Mr and Mrs Morris LDP 27 September 1918. Tom and his brother, Jack, another Old Boy, were crack shots in the Territorials and had won prizes at Bisley. He was a Lewis machine gunner in the vicinity of St Quentin when wounded by shellfire and taken prisoner. He died three days later. In 1917 he was the only one of his section to return form an attack and was hit three times He went on through the terrible winter of 1917 where he saw heavy fighting on Passchendaele Ridge and in Polygon Wood.
H PRH CWGC PCCM PRH LDP
John (Ulrich) Moss
Son of the late Mr Robert and Mrs Moss of “Ingestre”, 17 Victoria Road, Fulwood, husband of Mrs Moss of 5 Lawson Street
Occupation: Manager of R. Moss and Son, tin foundry, Lawson Street
Private 49855 1st/7th The King's Liverpool Regiment
Killed 31 July 1917 by shellfire
Hooge Crater Cemetery Ypres Grave XII/B/8
Other details: Left the College and joined his father’s tin foundry business and took over when his father died. Reported missing for nearly two years. Had arrived in Belgium on 16 May 1917. Wrote to his Mother last on 15 July full of concern for his wife and child, also saying that he had received Communion on that Sunday. Sergeant Paul de Rome, platoon leader and friend, wrote that JM was in a group he had taken up to the front line. On his return with another group he realised that the original one had completely disappeared. Hoping that they may have been taken prisoner, he also realised that they may have been buried by shell explosion. His officer also wrote that he “… a good and conscientious soldier. I never heard him grumble and he was well liked by all the men.”
PCCM CWGC
Charles Naylor
Son of James Louis and Sarah Agnes Naylor of 221 Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston
Sergeant 305704 1st/8th “Irish” Bn The King’s Liverpool Regiment
Killed Tuesday 31 July 1917 Aged 24, near Ypres
Menin Gate Ypres Panels 4 and 6
Other details: Joined up in September 1914. Promoted Lance Corporal in November and then to Corporal 17 March 1915. Went to France and was in action at the bayonet charge at Festubert on 14 1915 where the battalion suffered heavily. The Company Captain was killed and CN was promoted to Sergeant in the field at Festubert. In April 1916 he was recommended for a commission and was at Cadet Training School until August to September when he was recalled because so many NCOs had been killed. January to March 1917 he was attached to a company of Royal Engineers then recalled to his battalion for the Third Battle of Ypres. He was killed on the first day.
PCCM CWGC
Basil Noble
Lance Sergeant 9170 2nd Bn King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment PCCM says King’s Royal Rifle Company.
Died Saturday 8 May 1915 Aged 28
Menin Gate Ypres Panel 12
Other details: Attended the College from 1898 to 1903 when numbers at the school were low, only about 70 pupils. Yet so many of that little community, including eight of BN’s contemporaries: Arthur Houghton, Joseph Spencer, John Noblet, Adrian Brown, Robert Challoner and Hugh Jackson gave their lives in the War and are named on the College Memorial. Met and became friends with Joseph Spencer (see below) in India.
PCCM CWGC
James Ormerod
Son of Thomas Ormerod of 157 Ribbleton Lane, later of 36 St Stephen’s Avenue, off Whitegate Drive, Blackpool.
Occupation: Assistant Schoolmaster at St Bridget’s School, Manchester
Second Lieutenant 22nd Bn Manchester Regiment
Died of pneumonia Friday 27 September 1918 at Montecchio Pricaleino Aged 27 PCCM says 26
Montecchio Pricaleino Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy. Grave 6/B/5
Other details: Trained as a teacher at St Mary’s Hammersmith London and taught in Manchester. Joined up on 1 September 1914 as part of the Manchester City Employees Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. Fought at the Battle of the Somme and was wounded on 30 July 1916, and was back with the regiment within a month. He was commissioned as an officer with the Manchesters and was involved in the heavy fighting at the Battle of Passchendaele in August 1917. He was then transferred to the Italian Front and was spent time in the cold conditions of the Alps. On his return to the plains he contracted double pneumonia and died unexpectedly after five days after receiving the Sacrament of the Sick.
H PRH PCCM CWGC
John Noblett
Son of Charles and Elizabeth Noblett of “Hollybank”, Addison Road (now Blackpool Road), Preston
Occupation: Clerk at the London City and Midland Bank
Lance Corporal 201957 2nd/4th Loyal North Lancs
Died 26 October 1917 Aged 26
Bard Cottage Cemetery Plot V Row B Grave 20
Other details: Attended the College 1904 to 1911. Joined the Army in January 1916 and was engaged in heavy fighting at Ypres in Autumn 1917. Was wounded in the attack on Passchendaele Ridge and killed by a shell while on the way to a dressing station. Buried by comrades at Bard Cottage, two miles north of Ypres. Death announcement LDP 16 November 1916. Parents contributed to the PWMF 1924.
H PRH LDP PCCM CWGC PWMF
Philip (Walter) Park
Husband of Mildred Walmsley Park of 52 Lovat Road, Preston.
Occupation: Clerk at County Offices, Preston
Private 13022 7th “Preston Pals” Bn, then 11th Bn Loyal North Lancs
Died Saturday 25 November 1916 Aged 26 of a fractured skull at the General Hospital, Rouen
St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen Grave O/11/R/1
Other details: Left the College in 1904. Joined up at the outbreak of War. In the bombardment which opened the Battle of Loos he was buried for some hours in a dugout. Invalided home to hospitals in London, Eastbourne, Whalley and Nelson. Transferred to the 11th Battalion in June 1916 on the Somme. In November was wounded again and died in Rouen three days later. He married in 1914 and left a widow and twin sons aged eight months. PCCM CWGC H PRH
(George) Leonard Parker
Third son of Thomas and Mary Parker of 105 Wellington Road, Ashton, Preston; home address “The Grove”, Mawdesley, Ormskirk
Occupation: Farmer
Captain, 2nd Bn Essex Regiment
Shot by a sniper on Sunday 1 September 1918 Aged 23
Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, Pas de Calais Grave 11/C/1
Other details: Left the College in 1911. Joined up with other members of his class in September 1914 in the Preston Pals battalion and was sent to France in 1915. Sent for officer training at Rhyl in 1917 and was gazetted to the 3rd Essex in December, returning to France in April 1918. Hid battalion Commander said in his letter,” Captain Parker was one of my best officers…always bright and cheery, setting an example to all who knew him. He was killed during the battle in which his company took part of the front trench of the vaunted Drocourt-Queant line. He was shot by a sniper while doing a reconnaissance.” PCCM PRH H CWGC
William (Edward) Pyke
Son of the late Mr Pyke and Mrs WH Pyke
Second Lieutenant 1st/4th Bn Loyal North Lancs
Shot by sniper, Saturday 9 September 1916, at Delville Wood
Originally buried in Delville Wood but grave probably destroyed by later shellfire.
Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 11A
Other details: The Co asked for suggested plans for attacking the enemy in Delville Wood and WP’s was thought to be the best and he was put in command. Shortly after he crossed the parapet he was shot in the neck and the attack failed. His Co said “I was particularly sorry to lose Pyke. He was a most promising officer.” Other officers made comments in letters: “…everybody is frightfully sorry about Pyke being killed, as he had already distinguished himself in so many ways…It was very sad news to all of us who knew him so well, but he has done his duty and died as he wished to do….I have taken over Pyke’s place as Bombing Officer and if I can carry on with half his spirit and leadership I shall be doing well….he went for the Boche hell for leather and in the highest of spirits…I have never known him fail me…his keenness was unsurpassed - always ready and willing to do anything and always did his best….he did some splendid deeds and earned the admiration of all.” Mrs WH Pyke contributed to the PWMF in 1924.
CGWC PCCM PWMF
Francis (Frank) Ratcliffe
Son of Charles and Elizabeth Ratcliffe of 20 Glover Street, Preston
Occupation: Clerk/Electrician
Private (Motor Electrician) DM2/208215 893 Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps
Died in an accident near Amiens, Friday 4 January 1918 Aged 20
Rocquigny-Equancourt Road Cemetery, Menancourt, Somme, Grave IX/B/30
Other details: Started at the College in 1910 and left while still young to become an electrician. His parents contributed to the PWMF 1924.
PCCM CWGC H PRH PWMF
Denis Rattle
Lance Corporal, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Occupation: Office work in Liverpool
Died Friday 14 May 1920 of pneumonia, weakened by malaria, in Preston
Other details: Joined up in November 1914, a year after leaving the College and was sent to France in September 1915. A month later he was sent to Salonika for three years, where he contracted malaria and was sent home in May 1918. Spent two months in Cork, then sent back to France, though the Armistice was declared before he got to the Front Line. He returned with his health seriously impaired but insisted on returning to work. Was well liked by everyone for his openness and sense of fun;”…it seemed that there was a pleasant and successful career opening out in front of him.”(PCCM) When his old headmaster, Fr Welsby SJ, arrived to anoint him he was already dead. Presumed buried at Preston.
PCCM
Louis (Chaloner) Rattle
Youngest son of William and Agnes Rattle of Ribbleside Villas, Riverside, Preston.
Second Lieutenant 100 Squadron Royal Air Force
Killed Thursday 10 October 1918 Aged 19 at Charmes, south of Nancy on a night bombing raid
Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegay, Vosges 1/C/15
Other details: Death Notice LDP 17 October 1918. Entered the College in 1909 at the age of 10. Was known to be cheerful, quiet and humorous. Entered the Royal Flying Corps in September 1917 and was commissioned in March 1918. His CO wrote that he was a good pilot and that he was full of big schemes that he would and could do after the War. Buried in error by the Church of England chaplain, he had the full Catholic funeral service read over him and his grave blessed again by the Catholic chaplain who arrived as fast as he could (!).
LDP H PRH PCCM CWGC
Thomas (Aloysius) Rawcliffe
Son of Thomas and Mary Rawcliffe of Chorley
Lance Corporal 1306 Military Foot Police, Military Police Corps
Died of pneumonia Thursday 4 January 1917 at Le Havre
Sainte Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, Div 3/D/14
Other details: Entered the College with Frank Eccles (see above) in 1904 and left in 1906. Was engaged in police work in the severe winter of 1916-1917 and caught a chill after an eight hour duty in freezing conditions and died of pneumonia after three days in hospital. PCCM CWGC
John Riordan
Corporal 25369 10th Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Died Monday 13 November 1916
Y Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel Grave C 24
CWGC
(Maurice Joseph) Bede Scarborough
Able Seaman R/1778 Anson Bn Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Died Wednesday 21 August 1918
Vis-En-Artois Memorial Pas de Calais Panels 1 and 2
Other details: Attended the College from 1892 to 1894. Called up under the Derby Scheme, he was rejected for various reasons until he joined the Anson Battalion in May 1917. Went to France in October 1917 and was wounded in May 1918. Posted as missing after a shell burst on 21 August until confirmed dead a few days later.
George (Woods) Sharples
Eldest son of the late William and Elizabeth Sharples of the Victoria and Station Hotel, Fishergate Hill (1917) and 10 and 11 Bushell Place Preston (1922)
Occupation: Partner in family brewery business
Lieutenant, 19th Bn The King’s Liverpool Regiment
Killed by sniper Thursday 7 June 1917 Aged 33
Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Ypres, Grave VII/M/7
Other details: Death Notice by family LDP 12 June 1917. Left the College in 1900. Was one of three brothers in the Army, all Old Boys; the others being captain William Sharples and Captain William Sharples who both won the MC. Henry lost his right arm in action. All three were photographed in the College m,agazine in Summer 1917. He was a popular man, well known for his good humour and nature, and his love of sport and exercise. He was a well known all-round athlete, scratch golfer, and clever boxer. He was a member of the Winckley Club and the Preston and County Catholic Club, the first of the latter to be killed. After school he was employed at the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank before joining his father’s business. He joined the Army with his brothers as a private in October 1914 and was commissioned in August 1915. He was injured after being thrown from his horse about this time. He took part in the Somme offensive, was wounded and returned home for some months. During this time he was a guest at the College Sports Day as one of the judges. He was killed during the Battle of Passchendaele, leading his men across open ground. He was mentioned in dispatches. (Details taken from PCCM Summer 1919 and article in LDP 12 June 1917 and PG 16 June 1919). Family contributed to PWMF 1924.
LDP PG PCCM PWMF H PRH CWGC
George Southworth
Son of Henry and Margaret Elizabeth Southworth of 145 St James’s Road Blackburn
Occupation: Worked in family business
Private 103377 38th General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps
Died on Active Service Saturday 6 October 1917 in hospital in Salonika
Mikra British Cemetery Kalamaria, Greece
Other details: Educated at St Alban’s Higher Grade School, Blackburn and at the College. Joined up in October 1915 and spent six months in King George’s Hospital, London and was then sent to Salonika where he remained until his death. The Catholic Chaplain at the 38th General Hospital described him as “…a sterling lad…constant in his religious duties…an example to the other(s)…a very large number were at his funeral and they all testified to his fine character and virtues.” Before the War he had taught Christian Doctrine on Sundays at St Alban’s and was a member of the Study Guild and the St Vincent de Paul Society.
CWGC PCCM
Joseph (Ignatius) Spencer
Son of Alice Ellen Spencer of Bank House, St George’s Square, Barrow and the late John George Spencer.
Occupation: Former Regular Soldier; Imperial Oil Co., Calgary Canada; Army Reservist
Corporal 8243 1st Bn King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
Shot in the head by a sniper on Sunday 2 (PCCM says 6) May 1915 Aged 30
Menin Gate Ypres Panel 12
Other details: Born in 1885. Educated by Holy Child nuns at Winckley Square Convent School and then at the College until 1902. Worked for the Lancashire Banking Co until May 1904 when he joined the Royal Lancaster Regiment. The following year he was posted to India where he became friends with another Old Boy, Basil Noble (see above). After eight years in India he took his discharge and went to Canada, working for the Imperial Oil Co., where he was highly thought of. He was called back to the colours in 1914. His Captain wrote, “He was a man I could ill afford to lose; but he died like a man, doing his duty.”
CWGC PCCM
William A. Swarbrick M.C., Croix-de-Guerre (Belgium)
Husband of Winifred M. Swarbrick and eldest son of Thomas and Sarah Swarbrick, all of 27 St Ignatius’s Square, Preston
Occupation: Schoolmaster
Captain, Service Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers
Died on active service Monday 6 September 1920 of endo-carditis (inflammation of the heart) at Fleetwood
Preston Cemetery RC/N/605
Other details: Death Notice LDP 8 September 1920. No epitaph in PCCM or mention of decorations, though mention of a wound in Summer 1919 edition. Promoted to Lieutenant on 13 December 1916 and to Captain on 4 July 1917. Became a regimental Education Officer on 2 September 1919. Decorations only mentioned in PRH but MC included with WS’s entry on the St Ignatius’s memorial outside the church.
LDP CWGC PRH H PCCM
Henry (Harry) Tommony
Son of Philip Tommony of 4 Mill Bank, Church Street, Preston
Corporal 16343 Lancashire Fusiliers trans to Army Pay Corps (Woking)
Died Monday 25 November 1918 Aged 21
Preston Cemetery RC/B/2
Other details: Prefect (Head Boy) of the College in 1915. Won a gold medal, for French, presented by the Lord Mayor of London, against public school competition in that year. Although he had excelled at sports at school (he is often mentioned in PCCM) he was found to be in ill health on joining up and was moved from the Lancashire Fusiliers to a Labour Corps and then on to the Pay Corps in Woking as a B2 man, always hoping to be declared a B1. Fell ill from double pneumonia at the end of 1918 and died on the date above, after being visited regularly by the Catholic chaplain. Father contributed to the PWMF in 1924.
PCCM CWGC PWMF
Francis (Frank) Ignatius Turner
Youngest son of Mr and Mrs J. Turner of 5 Wellington Terrace
Occupation: Bank Clerk, Manchester and County Bank, Preston
Second Lieutenant, service number not known, 8th Bn, attached to 1st Bn West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own), late of 7th Bn Loyal North Lancs Regiment, “Preston Pals”.
Died Friday 27 September 1918, killed at Hermies [PRH]
Ruyaulcourt Military Cemetery Pas de Calais Grave K/44
Other Details: Death Notice LDP 2 October 1918, PG article 5 October 1918. Further article in LDP 4 October 1918 - joined Army as a Private in the Loyal North Lancs Regiment and rose to rank of Sergeant Major. Started training in May 1917 for a commission then gazetted to the West Yorkshire Regiment. Wounded slightly in April 1918. Extracts from other officers’ letters: “ He was a most gallant officer, a good leader…his place will be difficult to fill …He was killed gallantly leading his men forward and owing to his leadership…his company and another were the subject of a special Order of the Day form the Corps Commander…a distinction very seldom gained by companies.” A. Turner of 5 Wellington Terrace contributed to PWMF 1924.
H PRH LDP PCCM CWGC
Francis Valentine
Royal Army Service Corps
Arthur (William) Worden
Youngest son of Alderman William and Rachel Worden of Luton House, Church Street, Preston
Occupation: Engineer
Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, M/11841 HMS Dartmouth, Royal Navy
Killed 15 May 1917 Aged 29 while on a raid in the Adriatic Sea against the Austrian Navy
Buried at sea. Comm. on Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon Panel 22
Other details: Entered the College in 1899 and was known as a keen and breezy person who was good at football. He volunteered his experience as an engineer early in the War. The Dartmouth was hit in the engine room by a torpedo from submarine U89 of the Austrian Navy after it had gone to protect Allied vessels in the Adriatic. Five engineers were killed including AW. Also commemorated on the war memorial outside St Ignatius’s Church. In memory of his son Alderman Worden paid for the sculpted figure of the sailor which stands at the side of the crucified Christ. Also contributed to the PWMF 1924.
CWGC H PWMF PCCM
John Wynne
Son of Mary Wynne of “Borderlea”, Hoghton, Preston and the late John Wynne
Occupation: Clerk at County Offices
Lance Sergeant 5/368 5th Bn Connaught Rangers
Died Friday 20 August 1915 Aged 27
Comm. by Special Memorial C24 in 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Turkey (190 meters east of Anzac-Suvla Road.
Other details: Joined up in 1914 and was known at school for his “Fine physique and excellent constitution”.
CWGC PCCM
The following name was included on the list of former pupils serving in the Forces in the Summer 1919 edition of the PCCM but not included on the list of proposed names in the Winter edition of 1926, nor on the memorial itself.
Henry Woods
Staff Surgeon HMS Monmouth, Royal Navy
Lost at Sea 1 November 1914
Plymouth Memorial Panel 1
Other details: HMS Monmouth was sunk with no survivors at the Battle of Coronel near the Falkland Islands where the German Navy outgunned the Royal Navy ships. The Monmouth took about fifteen hits in the first phase from the Gneisenau and finished off by the Nurburg which fired an estimated seventy five shells.
PCCM CWGC
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