2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment

   2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment was in Wijnberg, South Africa when war broke out in August 1914. They returned to England, landing at Southampton on the 30th of October 1914 and joined 24th Brigade in 8th Division at Hursley Park, Winchester. They proceeded to France, landing at Le Havre on the 6th November 1914 a much needed reinforcement to the BEF and remained on the Western Front throughout the war. In 1915 they were in action at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers and The action of Bois Grenier. On the 18th of October 1915 they transferred with 24th Brigade to 23rd Division to instruct the inexperienced troops. In March 1916 23rd Division took over the front line between Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River in the Carency sector from the French 17th Division, an area exposed to heavy shelling. In mid April they withdrew to Bruay returning to the Carency sector in mid May just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge, in the sector to their right. On the 15th of June 1916 24th Brigade returned to 8th Division. They were in action at the Battle of The Somme. In 1917 they fought in The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and then moved to Flanders and were in action in The Battle of Pilkem and The Battle of Langemarck. On the 3rd of February 1918 tthe 2nd east Lancashires transferred to 25th Brigade still with 8th Division. In 1918 they saw action during The Battle of St Quentin, The actions at the Somme crossings, The Battle of Rosieres, The actions of Villers-Bretonneux, The Battle of the Aisne, The Battle of the Scarpe and The Final Advance in Artois including the capture of Douai.

19th Sep 1914 Divisional HQ Opens

2nd Oct 1914 Concentration

30th Oct 1914 Concentration Complete

31st Oct 1914 Mud

4th Nov 1914 On the Move

5th Nov 1914 On the Move

6th Nov 1914 Delays

7th Nov 1914 Delays

8th Nov 1914 On the Move

9th Nov 1914 Into Billets

30th Dec 1914 Message

9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: The Northern pincer  2.30am: all units in the North report that they are in position, having assembled at night. 4.06am: sunrise and all very quiet on this front.
5.00am: British bombardment opens with field guns firing shrapnel at the German wire and howitzers firing High Explosive shells onto front line. Many reports are received that British 4.7-inch shells are falling short, and even on and behind the British front line (Later it is agreed that this is due to faulty ammunition, as well as excessive wear to gun barrels). 5.30am: British bombardment intensifies, field guns switch to HE and also fire at breastworks. Two guns of 104th Battery, XXII Brigade RFA had been brought up into the 24th Brigade front and they now opened fire at point blank range against the enemy breastworks; they blow several gaps, although one of the guns is inaccurate due to the unstable ground on which it is located. The lead battalions of the two assaulting Brigades of 8th Division (24th Brigade has 2/Northants and 2/East Lancashire in front; 25th Brigade has 2/Rifle Brigade, 1/Royal Irish Rifles and 1/13 London Regiment (Kensingtons)) move out into the narrow No Man's Land (in this area it is only 100-200 yards across). German bayonets can be seen behind their parapet.
5.40am: On the further advance the 2nd East Lancs are hit by heavy machine-gun and rifle fire by the time they had progressed thirty yards from their own trench; the 2nd Northants, coming up ten minutes later, were similarly hit, but a party got through one of the gaps blown by the field guns, and into the German front trench. The attack of 25th Brigade is much more successful: the wire on the left had been well-cut and the infantry poured through, crossing the almost-undamaged breastworks and into the German fire trenches. They moved onto the first objective (a bend in the Fromelles road), and the Rifle Brigade bombers extended the trench system they occupied to 250 yards broad. On the blowing of the two mines at 5.40am, the lead companies of the Kensingtons rushed to occupy the craters, moved forward to capture Delangre Farm, and then formed a defensive flank as ordered.
6.10am: Brig.Gen. Oxley (24th Brigade) orders the support battalion, 1st Notts & Derbys, to support the attack of the Lancashires, but they are also held up with high losses, at almost unbroken wire. The front and communication trenches are by now very crowded and chaotic; German shelling adds to confusion. By now, the fire across No Man's Land was so intense that forward movement was all but impossible. The support battalion of the 25th Brigade, the 2nd Lincolns, was ordered forward, to cross by the craters; they did so, despite losing many men on the way. Men of the Brigade were at this time seen to be retiring to their front line, having apparently received a shouted order. German prisoners, making their way to the British lines, were mistaken for a counterattack and there was a great deal of confusion. Brig.Gen Lowry Cole, CO 25th Brigade, was mortally wounded when standing on the British parapet in an attempt to restore order.
8.30am: the attack had established three small lodgements in the enemy positions, but they were not in contact with each other and were under tremendous pressure. Otherwise the attack had come to a standstill and all movement into or out of the trench system had become impossible. The men in the German positions were cut off.
8.45am and again at 11.45am: Haig orders Rawlinson (CO, IV Corps) to vigorously press home the attack.
1.30pm: A renewed attack with 2nd Queens of 22nd Brigade in support, did not take place as the troops were heavily shelled in the assembly areas and many casualties were suffered even before the original support lines had been reached. Major-General Gough (CO, 7th Division, whose 21st Brigade had now also been ordered forward by Haig) reported that after a personal reconnaissance he was certain that forward movement was at the present time impossible.
5.00pm: General Haig, hearing of the continued failure of the Southern attack and the hold-up after initial success of the Northern attack, orders a bayonet attack at dusk, 8.00pm.

2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)

9th May 1915 The Battle of Aubers Ridge: Evening and Night  2nd Battalion Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
6.00pm: such chaos in the trench system and on the roads and tracks leading to it that it becomes clear that fresh units will not be ready for the 8pm attack. Haig cancels the attack and rides to Indian Corps HQ at Lestrem, to meet with all Corps commanders to consider the next moves. 7.30pm: the meeting breaks up having decided to renew the attack next day, taking advantage of night to reorganise. Efforts were made throughout the evening to reinforce the small garrisons of the lodgements in the enemy trenches. 26 men of the 2/Northants, of which 10 were wounded, returned to the British front. 2.30am 10 May: the 200 or so surviving Rifle Brigade and Royal Irish Rifles were withdrawn from their position, all efforts to reinforce them having been repulsed. 3.00am 10 May: the last few Kensingtons also returned from their position; all British troops were now out of the German lines. Around this time, First Army HQ, having by now got a good picture of the losses, failures and general conditions, called a Commanders conference for 9.00am, to take place at I Corps HQ on the Locon road, some 1.5 miles from Bethune. 9.00am 10 May: the Army and Corps commanders and staffs in attendance learned that there was insufficient artillery ammunition to continue two attacks. (The Secretary of State for War, Kitchener, had also just ordered a considerable portion of existing stocks to be sent to the Dardanelles); for example there were only some 3,000 18-lbr rounds left, and some of that was way behind the firing positions. They also heard that the 4.7-inch ammunition that had caused problems on IV Corps front was too defective for further use and that the fuzes on 15-inch heavy rounds were also defective and the shells simply did not burst on hitting the wet ground. All further orders for renewing the attack were cancelled at 1.20pm; the views of the conference were transmitted to GHQ. 7th Division was ordered to move from it's position north of Neuve Chapelle to the south of it, with a view to strengthening a future offensive there. British casualties from the 9 May attacks continued to move through the Field Ambulances for at least three days after the attack.
More than 11,000 British casualties were sustained on 9 May 1915, the vast majority within yards of their own front-line trench. Mile for mile, Division for Division, this was one of the highest rates of loss during the entire war. There is no memorial to the attack at Aubers Ridge.

17th Aug 1915 Saved by the Dust

25th Sep 1915 In Action

25th Sep 1915 In Action

25th Sep 1915 In Action

25th Sep 1915 In Action

2nd of October 1915 Muddy trenches

16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme

22nd of November 1915 Reliefs

26th of November 1915 Special Order - To be read to all men

1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets

11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment

10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens

31st of January 1916 Reliefs

9th February 1916 Call Ups

6th Jul 1917 Reliefs

31st Jul 1917 In Action

2nd Aug 1917 Message of Congratulation

13th Oct 1917 Reliefs

30th Dec 1917 Reliefs

10th Apr 1918 Reliefs

11th Apr 1918 Minnenwerfers in Action  During the early morning, the Bosche established his machine guns in the outskirts of Pont du Nieppe and became very active. Also his Minnenwerfer trench mortars opened up on us about 11am., assisted by field guns at close range.
At about 1pm., a party of enemy approached the trench of 6th West Riding Regt 'B' company, working up an old trench and sunken road. Owing to disgraceful behaviour on the part of some N.F.s, who ran out to meet him with their hands up, the enemy entered our trench. Captain Clough was wounded through the face and 2nd. Lieutenant Shaw was killed in attempting to turn out the Bosche. Two platoons of 'C' Company were despatched along the trench from left to right but, having no bench, were not able to dislodge the enemy, as it was impossible to get out of the trench owing to incessant machine gun fire. A block was established and a refused(?) right flank was made by a platoon of 'C' Company, who kept in touch with the 2nd. East Lancs. on the railway, some ground being given by them. Shelling and trench mortar on our line continued to be very intensive, especially in support and back areas. During morning and early afternoon, 2nd. Lieutenant Stewart was killed by rifle fire and Lieutenant Bain was wounded by a machine gun bullet.
At about 4pm., some No. 5 Grenades were secured and plans were made to drive the Bosche out of our trenches. While these plans were being, the enemy commenced to work his way further down our trench. He was therefore attacked across the open from the rear and finally ejected, leaving about 20 dead and 1 prisoner in our hands. 2nd. Lieutenant Baker was seriously wounded and Sergeant Burrows was killed in this enterprise. A machine gun team of the 34th. Division rendered valuable assistance and 71064 Private Womersley, 'B' Company, 34th. Machine Gun Battalion, behaved particularly well and, although wounded severely in the arm, remained at his gun and tried to continue firing. The C. O. rallied the men and went forward at the head of the attacking party. Captain Ogston, 2nd. Lieutenant Baker and 2nd. Lieutenant Whitehead led their men splendidly.
At 7pm., orders were received to withdraw platoons down the Bailleul road. By 11.30pm., the battalion was successfully withdrawn and bivouacked at crossroads just south of Bailleul (map reference S27 centre, sheet 28.) Groups(?) were pushed out.
Casualties on this day for 6th Battalion West Riding Regt were Captain S. H. Clough (Wounded), Lieutenant P. H. Bain (wounded), 2nd. Lt. H. F. Baker (Wounded), 2nd. Lt. C. R. Shaw (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. G. Stewart (Killed in Action), 2nd. Lt. A. M. Whitehead (Wounded at Duty), 300189 Sergeant J. W. Booth (Wounded), 266723 Sergeant G. W. Burrows (Killed in Action), 266083 Sergeant H. Smith (Killed in Action), 265298 Sergeant A. Stott (Killed in Action), 265924 Lance Sergeant H. Lowcock (Missing), 268049 Lance Sergeant L. Swallow (Wounded), 267558 Corporal J. Goldsborough (Wounded), 265092 Corporal H. Leach (Wounded), 242534 Corporal W. Nicholson (Missing), 265195 Corporal H. Swinden (Wounded), 267793 Corporal H. H. Whitehead (Wounded), 8673 Lance Corporal C. Bailey (Wounded), 265502 Lance Corporal D. Bamforth (Wounded), 24878 Lance Corporal G. Falconer (Wounded), 268276 Lance Corporal L. Hartley (Wounded), 268475 Lance Corporal W. Keeley (Wounded), 24408 Lance Corporal F. Metcalfe (Killed in Action), 267495 Lance Corporal E. Sayer (Killed in Action), 14911 Lance Corporal H. Whittaker (Missing), 16695 Private J. Adamthwaite (Killed in Action), 26487 Private G. F. Alfred (Missing), 18896 Private J. A. Bailey (Wounded), 266677 Private H. A. Barker (Wounded), 16986 Private H. Barraclough (Killed in Action), 11333 Private N. Bates (Wounded), 267901 Private J. F. Batley (Wounded), 268430 Private F. Battye (Wounded), 26502 Private S. H. Bell (Wounded), 267917 Private C. Bennett (Missing), 202424 Private J. H. Berry (Wounded), 23867 Private H. Bolton (Wounded), 242578 Private H. Booth (Missing), 306412 Private W. Boyle (Wounded), 266129 Private F. Bracewell (Wounded), 265680 Private W. G. Briggs (Killed in Action), 26677 Private W. Brittle (Killed in Action), 241458 Private N. Broadbent (Missing), 265143 Private A. W. Brooke (Wounded), 265977 Private J. W. Brown (Wounded),26666 Private P. Brown (Wounded), 200365 Private W. Bussey (Wounded),240023 Private F. Cartwright (Killed in Action), 267444 Private J. Caunt (Wounded), 242585 Private W. Chambers (Wounded), 23879 Private T. Charles (Wounded), 265299 Private F. Clarke (Wounded), 206325 Private Connelly (Killed in Action), 267899 Private H. Cook (Wounded), 267554 Private W. W. Cooper (Wounded at Duty), 26134 Private F. Cox (Killed in Action), 263012 Private J. Darby (Wounded), 201388 Private G. R. Dillon (Wounded), 267534 Private C. A. Emmott (Killed in Action), 267369 Private F. Evans (Missing), 10924 Private H. Foster (Wounded), 26668 Private E. Gamblen (Wounded), 242618 Private J. C. Garner (Missing), 267506 Private J. Gilfoyle (Wounded), 265775 Private H. Gooding (Killed in Action), 267335 Private E. Grazier (Wounded), 267860 Private W. S. Greasley (Missing), 267861 Private J. W. Greaves (Wounded), 267358 Private E. R. Green (Missing), 25504 Private W. Green (Wounded), 26556 Private J. Haley (Wounded), 26550 Private G. Hardcastle (Missing), 267420 Private S. Hardy (Killed in Action), 17077 Private G. Harper (Killed in Action), 242614 Private G. Harwood (Wounded), 265796 Private W. E. Haxby (Wounded), 306230 Private H. Hill (Killed in Action), 241325 Private F. Hinchliffe (Wounded), 265537 Private F. Hird (Missing), 267867 Private H. Holland (Killed in Action), 242915 Private G. E. Holliday (Killed in Action), 265054 Private J. Hollingdrake (Wounded), 266596 Private W. Horsman (Killed in Action), 242172 Private P. Howe (Killed in Action), 240079 Private P. Ingham (Killed in Action), 267422 Private H. R. Jackson (Wounded), 267469 Private N. Jackson (Missing), 41156 Private R. E. Johnson (Wounded), 41154 Private A. Jeffery (Wounded), 303005 Private A. Jowett (Missing), 41160 Private R. T. Lamb (Killed in Action), 26575 Private R. Lawson (Wounded), 242185 Private H. Lee (Wounded), 242387 Private F. Long (Missing), 26593 Private W. E. Maycock (Killed in Action), 267527 J. R. Merry (Wounded), 265176 Private F. Miller (Wounded), 17050 Private J. Milne (Wounded), 265014 Private J. Moore (Wounded and missing), 41185 Private T. C. Mudd (Wounded & died of wounds 13/04/1918), 241106 Private W. Naylor (Killed in Action), 266967 Private H. Newhouse (Wounded), 41190 Private F. Newton (Wounded), 26717 Private A. Nicholson (Missing), 266498 Private E. Oversby (Wounded),26604 Private J. R. Parker (Killed in Action), 17065 Private J. Patterson (Missing), 41193 Private F. Pemberton (Missing), 265056 Private C. R. Pinder (Missing), 265446 Private D. Powell (Wounded), 242934 Private J. Priestley (Wounded), 265010 Private T. Ralph (Wounded at Duty), 267733 Private H. Rawnsley (Killed in Action), 266409 Private L. Ream (Missing), 26141 Private C. Redshaw (Wounded & Missing), 267579 Private M. Riley (Wounded), 267584 Private H. Roebuck (Missing), 266136 Private M. Rogers (Missing), 41199 Private W. F. Rowe (Killed in Action), 267568 Private W. Rushworth (Killed in Action), 242856 Private J. H. Shields (Wounded), 24433 Private G. W. Simpson (Wounded), 266554 Private R. S. Smith (Wounded), 267723 Private G. Snowden (Wounded), 267834 Private G. Spencer (Wounded), 41208 Private W. R. Spencer (Wounded and missing), 26631 Private B. Steel (Killed in Action), 266669 Private P. Taylor (Wounded), 26665 Private W. Thomson (Killed in Action), 267897 Private F. Tomlinson (Wounded), 22934 Private G. Vowles (Wounded), 24419 Private J. J. Warren (Missing), 268324 Private L. Waterworth (Missing), 266934 Private J. E. Whittaker (Wounded), 267833 Private W. Wilcock (Wounded), 267551 Private I. Wilshaw (Wounded), 202959 Private J. A. Wilson (Wounded), 305454 Private J. W. Wilson (Wounded).

12th Apr 1918 Attack Made

27th Apr 1918 Reliefs

17th May 1918 Reliefs

28th May 1918 Hard Fighting

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Want to know more about 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment?

There are:5268 items tagged 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment available in our Library

These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Those known to have served with
2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment
during the Great War 1914-1918.

Bentham John. Cpl. (d.30th July 1916)
Briggs John James. Pte. (d.30th Dec 1914)
Butler Thomas. Cpl.
Butterfield Jabez. Pte. (d.23rd August 1916)
Coar Edward Roland. 2nd Lt. (d.8th Jan 1918)
Colquitt Joseph Vincent. Pte. (d.25th Sep 1918)
Dinsdale MM. Walter. Pte.
Green Jesse. Pte.
Gregory Haworth. Pte. (d.2nd Apr 1918)
Haygarth William. Pte. (d.6th Feb 1917)
Jones Robert Langford. Pte. (d.2nd April 1918)
Kenyon William. Pte. (d.9th May 1915)
Marsden John Taylor. L/Sgt. (d.21st Jun 1917)
O'Hara John. Pte. (d.25th Feb 1918)
Ryan Henry. Pte. (d.19th Sep 1918)
Ryan Henry. Pte. (d.19th September 1918)
Sherman Charles David. Cpl. (d.23th January 1915)
Spear William. Cpl.
Watson Arthur M.. (d.17th Nov 1917)

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Pte. Jabez Butterfield 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.23rd August 1916)

Jabez Butterfield was killed in action on 23rd August 1916. He was a resident of 63 Cromwell Street, Burnley.
s flynn

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Cpl. John Bentham 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th July 1916)

John Bentham was killed in action on the 30th of July 1916, aged 22 and is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery in France. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Bentham, of 52 Esp Lane, Barnoldswick, Yorks.
s flynn

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Pte. Walter Dinsdale MM. 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment

Walter Dinsdale was my Grandfather. He joined up in 1914 and was in the First World War for its duration. He was stationed in France and was wounded twice. He, like many who fought in this war, did not really talk about his experiences. It was only later in his 80s that he spoke a little of what happened to him to my Uncle. He said that he did not think he would survive, and made light of being awarded the Military Medal.
He said it arrived through the post one day after the war had ended. He told my Mother, his daughter, that at the front you did not know if the soldiers were dead or not but could not do anything about it. He told my Uncle that he lost his close friend when he was blown up beside him. One interesting thing he did tell my Uncle was that when the announcement that the war had ended he along with other soldiers who were recovering from their wounds were on Saltburn Beach. There was no joyous reaction or celebration just complete silence.
After the war Grandad came back to Stainforth, near Settle and continued to be a farmer. He was a quiet dignified man who lived into his ninetieth year.
Sue

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Pte. Jesse Green 11th (Accrington Pals) Btn. B Coy. East Lancashire Regiment

Jesse Green was an original Accrington Pal enlisting in Sept 1914, aged 16. He is listed in the Accrington Observer on 23rd Feb 1915 as serving in B Coy.
After training he went to guard the Suez Canal on the 25th Dec. 1915, then to France on the 2nd March 1916. Jesse was promoted to Sergeant on the battlefield but this is not recognised by the MOD.
Jesse went over the top at the Somme on the 1st of July 1916. He was wounded in the left thigh and the bullet exited his lower left calf. The wound was Class 1x1. The date for admission of ailment was 4th July 1916 and he was transferred for a sick convoy on 4th July 1916 on the good ship Panama. On recovery he was posted to the 7th Btn. and later to the 2nd Btn. At some time Jesse was gassed and was possibly taken prisoner. Jesse received payment in German Marks whilst a POW.
Mark Green

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Arthur M. Watson 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.17th Nov 1917)

Arthur Watson was the son of John William and Sarah Ellen Watson of 222 Blackburn Rd., Accrington. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.
P M Hinchy

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Pte. Haworth Gregory 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.2nd Apr 1918)

Haworth Gregory was killed during the German 'Michael' offensive in 1918, which opened with the most massive bombardment of the war, the Germans firing 3.5 million shells in 5 hours, including mustard gas, chlorine and tear gas shells. Many units were wiped out resisting the onslaught of the German stormtroops. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.
Haworth's brother William had been killed in 1917 in Mesopotamia.
Paul Guirey

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Pte. William Kenyon 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.9th May 1915)

William Kenyon, was the son of John and Alice Kenyon, and attended Farnworth Baptist Church. He was a collier at Brackley Pit. He enlisted on the 4th of November 1914 in the Lancashire Fusiliers in Bury. He was at Barrow, then Plymouth then transferred to 2nd East Lancashire Regiment on the 19th of March 1915. He was killed on the 9th of May 1915 and is remembered on the Ploegsteert Cemetery Memorial within Berks Cemetery Extension.
Kevan Williams

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Pte. Henry Ryan 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th September 1918)

Henry Ryan died as a Prisoner of War on 19th September 1918 and is buried in the Berlin South Western Cemetery in Germany. He was the husband of Mrs. E. A. Hollings (formerly Ryan), of 15, Longfield Terrace, Cliviger, Burnley, Lancashire.
s flynn

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Pte. William Haygarth 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.6th Feb 1917)

William Haygarth was my mother's brother. She lived in Accrington when she was young and sadly, when she died, we found the paper relating to his death in the First World War. My mother told my sister and I briefly about him. From the telegram informing his family of his death in 1917 we have an address where he lived with his family. We are aiming to visit the old address (the property may not still be there) but we still feel it will have some memories there. My sister and I also intend to visit the cemetery in France where he has a memorial.
We are both in our early seventies and feel we wish we could have sorted out this information when our mum was alive and taken her to France to the cemetery. However, with the present 100 years anniversary and technology we have been able to find out the relevant details and are now able to visit next year - and this will also be for mum!!
Barbara Walker

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Pte. John James Briggs 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.30th Dec 1914)

John Briggs was killed in action on the 30th of December 1914, aged 31. He is buried in the Estaires Communal Cemetery in France. He was the husband of Mrs Briggs of 153 Gannow Lane, Burnley.
s flynn

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2nd Lt. Edward Roland Coar 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.8th Jan 1918)

Edward Coar enlisted as Private 265636 with the 7th Bn. King's (Liverpool) Regiment in September 1914, he went overseas the following year on 11 March 1915. He saw service at Festubert, Loos, the Somme, Gueudecourt, Guillemont and Arras. He became a Lewis Gunner and was made a Lance-Corporal and was made an instructor in the weapon before being recommended for a commission.
He commenced his Officer training at Bristol College and was gazetted to the 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment where he was appointed Divisional Lewis Gun Officer and Transport Officer. Whilst working as Transport Officer in 1918, Edward was mortally wounded by an enemy shell. He was the only officer to die at the station that day along with two other ranks.
Shortly after his death, Edward's mother, Kate, received a letter from The Rev. W. L. Archer, chaplain at the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station which was based at Remy, he told her;
He was brought to us about 5-30pm, very severely wounded in the leg and arm, and in a very exhausted condition, so that at once it was seen that there was little hope. Everything possible was done to revive him, but there was little effect. I talked to him, and he was not in pain, but was in difficulty with his breathing and begged me to raise his shoulders. I promised to write to you and send you his love. He was, of course, frightfully weak, but I don't think he realised his real condition. Before I left him he was more comfortable and was dying. A few minutes later the end came very peacefully and quickly with no warning. I tried to see your son's batman, but could not, as he was in great distress, having been with him when he was wounded and, I believe, carried him out for some distance alone.
Second-Lieutenant Coar was laid to rest at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, a simple wooden cross marked his grave.
S Flynn

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Pte. Henry Ryan 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.19th Sep 1918)

Henry Ryan served with the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment during WW1 and died as a Prisoner of War on the 19th September 1918. He is buried in the Berlin South-Western Cemetery in Germany. He lived at Lower Dam Fields, Cliviger, Burnley Lancashire. Husband of Mrs. E. A. Hollings (formerly Ryan), of 15, Longfield Terrace, Cliviger, Burnley, Lancashire.
S Flynn

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Cpl. William Spear 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

Bill Spear was my Grandfather. Born in Burnley in 1890. His Father, Richard Henry Spear was the secretary of the Burnley Miners Union. Richard Henry was born in Cornwall and as a boy travelled with his Father, a miner in Cornwall, to the coal mines of Lancashire. Grandad Bill worked in the coal mines from 14 or 15 years old. In 1910 he joined the East Lancs at Fulwood Barracks, Preston and was sent to South Africa on Garrison duty.
In 1914 he was sent back to Southampton and travelled with the 2nd Battalion to the Western Front. My father states that he did not return until 1920. Grandad became a founding member of the MGC, Machine Gun Corps.
In WW2 he lived in Coventry and the Luftwaffe bombed his house. In the 1960s he, with his wife Ada, moved to Australia to be with us. He had a fall from a carpark roof and after a long time in hospital failed to recover. In 2007 I had a holiday in Europe and stumbled upon Fulwood Barracks. The museum is not open on Fridays. I happened to arrive on a Friday. To my surprise they opened the museum when I said that Grandad joined the East Lancs at Fulwood Barracks in 1910. Just the memory of the day makes the hair on my neck stand. We were there on 27th or 28th of June,the Regimental Day is 1 July, Somme Day. One day I hope to return to attend a Regimental Somme Day. It was a day that changed my life and I shall be eternally grateful.
William David Spear

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Pte. John O'Hara 2nd Btn. East Lancashire Regiment (d.25th Feb 1918)

I joined the army myself in 1985 and did a full career leaving summer last year. In my last year of service I decided to research my family tree. I had not been told of any ancestors or relations other than myself who had served in the army. I read about the Battle of the Somme and saw in the orbit how many Infantry Battalions from the North West served in that Battle, a massive amount of soldiers and wondered why male members from my family had escaled serving in the war. Research of my family tree revealed that I did indeed have a relative:
My great grandfather John O'Hara who had not only served in the army like but shared the same birthday. He died in WW1 in Belgium. I find it amazing that nobody in my family had told me about this especially since I had made the Army my career as well. But, I put it down largely to the attitude of the time of 'shutting up and putting up' with it and the desire to just get on with life after such tragic events. All the time I used to travel home on leave from Germany through Belgium and I never knew I had a relative buried there.
This weekend I have been over to Belgium to visit my Great Grandfather's grave in the War cemetery at Poelcapelle. We took over a wreath formed in the shape of a cross with Lancashire red roses, bought from a florist in Oswaldtwistle where he used to live and where his name is engraved on the cenotaph.
It was a proud moment to place the wreath on his grave and be the only one from my family who has paid him the respect he deserves. I am immensely proud of his sacrifice and to be associated with him.
Stephen Ball

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