Benjamin Gratrix , World War One , WW1 Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester UK Benjamin Gratrix BENJAMIN GRATRIX Private The Loyal N. Lancashire Regt. 6th Bn. d. 12 June 1920 due to Malaria, aged 38 13775 Benjamin Gratrix was the son of George and Alice Gratrix. In 1891, he was aged 9 and living with his parents at 15 Edge Fold as a scholar. In 1901, he was aged 19 and still living with his parents, now at 10 Edge Fold. His occupation was waggoner in a coal mine. Benjamin was baptised at St. Mark's on 31 August 1882 by William H. Baynes. His parents were married also at St. Mark's on 31 December 1870 by St. Vincent Beechey. In 1911, he was a boarder at the home of Elizabeth Pickup at 74 Harriett Street, Walkden, and was 28 years of age. Benjamin served in the Balkans in the Loyal North Lancs Regiment and that he was entitled to the 1915 trio of medals, the 1914-15 Star; the British War Medal; the Victory Medal. This would explain his cause of death in 1920 as being down to Malaria. A soldier on the Balkan front was often ten times more likely to become a casualty of disease than of enemy bullets or shells. On the Macedonian (Salonika) Front, Malaria was a far greater hazard than enemy combat, incapacitating over 160,000 British soldiers alone. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Outside St Marks Church, Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester. Church of England Outside St Mark's Church Worsley Click on image to expand Home

Robert Ambler, St Mark's Church Worsley, Manchester, National Archives 2nd Lieutenant Robert Ambler National Archives Files 1/1 Back

Ross Barnes, Riffles Brigade, World War One , WW1 Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester UK Ross Barnes ROSS BARNES Rifleman Rifle Brigade 9th Bn. d. 13 October 1916 aged 20 S/7858 Click here for the 9th Rifle Brigade roll of honour (somme-roll-of-honour.com) Ross Barnes was the son of Frederick William and Sarah Ellen (née Hall) Barnes, of 7 Brampton Street, Atherton. In 1911, he was living with his family at 70 Chaddock Lane, Boothstown. His father was a miner and Ross was the seventh born of nine children (5 of which served in WW1). Ross Barnes attested on the 7 January 1915 in Atherton, he was aged 19 and was living at the Volunteer Inn, High Street, Atherton. He was working as a collier. Indeed, in 1911 he was a colliery labourer working underground. He was posted to France on 6 July 1915. He was seriously wounded on 15 September 1916, with gunshot wounds to the chest and head during the Battle of Flers–Courcelette (Somme). His Battalion was part of the 42 brigade which were ordered to attack Flers on the 15th September. "The 42nd Brigade moved forward by compass past Delville Wood, deployed 400 yd (370 m) short of the Switch Line and attacked the third objective thirty minutes late; the right hand battalion was stopped just short and the left hand battalion was also caught by machine-gun fire and forced under cover. The two supporting battalions got further forward and found that the neighbouring divisions had not, enfilade fire meeting every movement " He was sent to the 1st Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, and from there he was transferred to England on 27 September 1916. He died at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, near Southampton, on 13 October 1916 of wounds received and his death was registered at South Stoneham, Hampshire. 472 servicemen died that same day in various locations. A War Gratuity of £8 was paid three years later to his mother. This was money owed to 872,395 soldiers who died while serving in the First World War as well as the latter stages of the Boer War. It was usually paid to their mothers, though wives were also listed. "Rifleman Ross Barnes, of the Lewis Gun Section, who before the war lived at the Volunteer Inn, died in Netley Hospital last week, and was accorded a military funeral last Wednesday. He was wounded first in the breast, the bullet penetrating his body and coming out at his back. He dropped to the ground, and was unable to move, as he was very weak owing to loss of blood. Whilst in this condition he was again wounded very severely in the head. he endeavoured to move, but had to stay where he was. Later he was found by two men, who took him to the base. From here, he was sent to Netley Hospital, Southampton, where he was operated on three times. Rifleman Barnes was 19 years of age. Before the war he worked at the Pretoria Pit. The remains of Pte. Barnes were interred in Worsley Parish Churchyard on Wednesday afternoon, with full military honours. A detachment of the guard at the Leigh Prisoners of War Camp, under Sgt. J. Glover, and accompanied by Corpl. Baker, Corpl. Jobson and Lance-Corpls. Wilding and Slack, paraded at the deceased's residence, along with the Royal Defence Corps, Leigh, who attended by permission of Capt. Tilly, various Volunteer Defence Corps, and local soldiers. The soldiers and volunteers marched with the cortege to Tyldesley New Road, and afterwards continued the procession at Mosley Common, where they were joined by the Boothstown Boy Scouts,, under Scoutmaster W. H. Barnes, and members of the Boothstown Wesleyan Girls' Society. The blinds at all the residences at Boothstown, where deceased was well known, were drawn as a tribute of respect, and a large number of friends and sympathisers gathered at Worsley Parish Church, amongst those present at the graveside being Messrs. W. M. Edge, J. Hurst (Swinton), T. Wallwork, C. Atkinson (Little Hulton), D. C. Potter, S. Hall, J. Hall, A. Mann, J. Edge and Mr. Greenall, junr. The coffin, which was draped with the Union Jack, was borne to the grave by six soldiers on leave, and after the service which was conducted by the Rev. P. Burnett of Boothstown, three volleys were fired, and the 'Last Post' sounded. Wreaths were placed on the grave from - Father, mother and family, his uncle and aunts, Saunders, Potter and Barber, Mr. and Mrs. T. Barnes, Ted and Polly, neighbours of High Street, and Bolton Old Road, members of the Volunteer Inn Club, officers and teachers of the Atherton Wesleyan Sunday School; a few friends of the kitchen; Mrs. Dugdale and family; Fred and Martha; Sam and Dan; Mr. and Mrs. Harris and family; Mr. and Mrs. Roberts and Bessie; Mr. and Mrs. Greenhalgh and family; his nephew Freddy, Mr. and Mrs. E. Morris and family, Mr. and Mrs. F Grundy, Mr. and Mrs. Barker, Walter and Eunas, Mrs. Liptrot and family, Boothstown Senior Girls' Club, Mrs. E. Barnes and family. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Seager of Atherton." (Local newspaper) Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester. James Allen, World War Two JAMES ERIC ALLEN JAMES ERIC ALLEN Fg.Off. RAF.VR d. 7 December 1941 aged 28 106109 JAMES ERIC ALLEN was the son of William Henry and Sarah Agnes Allen (née Aston), his second wife, of Monton Green. He was born on 14 March 1913As a school boy, he attended Eccles Grammar School. He married Vera Margaret Gaskell in the early part of 1940 (Barton district). On 14 April 1941, R.A.F. Wellesbourne Mountford opened, 4 miles east of Stratford-upon-Avon, which became home to No. 22 Operational Training Unit RAF , flying Vickers Wellingtons and Avro Ansons for RAF Bomber Command . It was part of R.A.F. No.6 Group Bomber Command and remained an O.T.U. over the next four years, its purpose being to train British and Commonwealth aircrews, (pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, wireless operators and air gunners) day and night, and have them ready to move on to operational squadrons. As 22 O.T.U. grew in size, sadly the loss of aircraft and personnel rose accordingly. In total, some 90 aircraft were destroyed, with 80 airmen injured and 299 killed. Of these, 244 were Canadians. James Eric Allen came to Wellesbourne as a member of No.12 course, training to be a pilot on Wellingtons. Each course taught the basic skills over an eight-week period. Because of the intensity of the course, accidents started to occur more frequently. One such accident, typical of dozens that were to befall Wellesbourne, occurred on 7th December 1941. It was a Sunday evening and the Midlands was suddenly engulfed in severe snowstorms. Two aircraft were carrying out circuits and landings. At 1830 hours, Wellington T2566 of 'B’ Flight was on finals, approaching runway 24 when the pupil pilot, P/O J. Lynas, aged nineteen, completely lost visual sight of the runway lights. He dramatically lost height and hit a row of trees in line with the flarepath. The aircraft burnt out in the ensuing crash by Heath Spinney on the Newbold road, killing P/O Lynas, P/Instructor Turner and WO/AG Sgt. Chancellor, and badly burning P/O Jackson and AG Sgt. Lane. Five minutes later, Wellington X9625 of 'A’ Flight was unable to line up with the runway due to the snow and, in trying to overshoot, caught the trees on Loxley Hill, finally crashing into the top of Red Hill, near Woodfield farm, quite close to the station wireless building. All four of the crew initially survived the crash, but sadly P/O J. E. Allen and W/O A. D. Cuthbert RCAF died later of their injuries. The other crew members were Sgt. J. H. Cox and AG Sgt. Allen. The death of James Eric was recorded in Stratford-upon-Avon in December 1941. His will, which was proved on 2 February 1942, shows that he lived at 'Berwyn', 1 Larch Avenue, Swinton. He had died on 7 December 1941 at Ettingley Farm, Loxley, Warwickshire. His estate was left to his wife, Vera Margaret. His name appears on the War Memorial Board from Eccles Grammar School which was re-dedicated in its new home in St. Paul's Church, Monton, at 10.45 on Remembrance Sunday, 13th November 2005 Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester. John Rowson, World War Two John Rowson JOHN ROWSON Pte. RAOC d.3/6/1941 aged 20 925722 JOHN ROWSON was a member of the 4th Div Workshops, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He was the son of Peter and Margaret (née Knight) Rowson of Walkden. They had married at St.Mark's on 21 April 1919. The Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) was a corps of the British Army. It dealt only with the supply and maintenance of weaponry, munitions and other military equipment. Baptism: 22 Dec 1920 St Mark, Worsley, Lancs. John Rowson - [Child] of Peter Rowson & Margaret Born: 5 Nov 1920 Abode: 244 Lumber Lane Worsley Occupation: Colliery Worker Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Robert Ambler , World War One , WW1 Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester UK Robert Ambler The National Archives files for Robert Ambler can be accessed at this link - National Archives ROBERT AMBLER 2nd Lieutenant King's (Liverpool Regt.) 13th Bn. d. 24 November 1918 aged 34 Baptised at St. Mary, Eccles, on 7 December 1884, he was the eldest child of John and Sarah (née Walters) Ambler. John was a photographer, though at the time of his marriage in January 1884 he was listed as an artist. Robert's address in the parish burial records was 44 Wellington Road, Eccles, the family abode. Certainly he was living there in 1901, aged 16, and he was a bank clerk. Then, in 1911, he was living as a boarder at an address in Clifton, Bristol, now aged 26, and still a bank clerk. It was announced in the newspapers that 'On Wednesday afternoon the interment took place at Worsley Churchyard of Mr. Robert Ambler, of Eccles. He contracted illness whilst on active service as a second lieutenant in the Liverpool Regiment, and died on Sunday last.' The south porch of Eccles Parish Church has become a memorial to all those who died for their country in World War 1. It was rebuilt under a faculty dated 16 December 1920 and the names of those who died were inscribed on tablets. The porch was opened and dedicated as a memorial to those who died during the Great War by the Revd. Canon John C. Hill, Rector of Bury, on Saturday, 1 October 1921. The name of Robert Ambler is amongst them. Researche d and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester. James Howell, World War Two James Howell JAMES HOWELL Gunner RA 19 Dec. 1940 d.15/12/1940 aged 30 1465093 JAMES HOWELL was attached to 80 Battery, 21 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He was the husband of Edna (née Williams) Howell of Worsley. They married in the fourth quarter of 1931 in Barton district. He was the father of Peter (who was aged 1 at his death) and Glenys (aged 5 at his death). At his death, his address was 206 Leigh Road, Boothstown. His parents might have been John and Ellen (née Worthington), who were married on 26 July1909 at St.Paul's, Walkden. In 1911, they were living at 20 Mayfield Avenue, Walkden, and James was 10 months old. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester. Jogn McDougall, World War Two John Paul McDougall JOHN PAUL McDOUGALL F/Sgt. RAF.VR d. 30 May 1944 aged 20 1795225 JOHN PAUL McDOUGALL was the eldest son of Capt. J. P. McDougall and Ethel May (née Cowburn), of Inglewood, 8 Egerton Road, Monton, (married in Barton district, first quarter of 1923). As a young boy, he attended Monton Green Council School, from where he won a scholarship to Manchester Grammar School. There he played for both the school's football and cricket first teams, and also became a member of Monton Cricket Club. He joined the RAF in October 1941 and under the University short course scheme attended Belfast University. He was a member of No. 13 OTU (Operational Training Unit), formed in April 1940 as part of No. 6 Group RAF Bomber Command at RAF Bicester , originally to train aircrew for the Bristol Blenheim light day bomber. He died while on active service. Trained as a navigator, he had completed his training in Rhodesia. He was onboard a de Havilland Mosquito Mk.IV, reg. HX984, when an engine cut forced it to crashland at Ford Hall, Birkenhead, Wirral on 30 May 1944. The aircraft was heard broadcasting a mayday by ground stations at Valley and Woodvale. This is the entry from Valley's ORB: May 30th 1944, “During the afternoon a Mosquito from Bicester was heard calling “Mayday” on Command Guard. Unfortunately it was impossible to get a bearing on the aircraft and despite the assistance of Woodvale the aircraft crashed near Birkenhead, one of the crew being killed and the other injured.” The crew was F/O (160640) Frank Edwin LEES (pilot) RAFVR, injured, and F/Sgt (1795225 ) John Paul McDOUGALL (nav.) RAFVR, killed. His name is recorded in the Roll of Honour of the Scouts, having been a member of the 1st Manchester Grammar School Scout group. His name is on the Memorial Board at the Monton Methodist Church. In his will, he left his effects to his father. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Herbert Moores , World War One , WW1 Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester UK Herbert Moores HERBERT MOORES Sgt. 18th Bn Manchester Regiment d. 18 July 1916 aged 32 Herbert Moores attested (ie. declared himself willing to serve) on 4th September 1914, aged 30, just five weeks after the outbreak of war. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 5th November 1914 and Corporal on 5th June 1915. Posted to France on 8th August 1915, he was later promoted to Lance Sergeant on 3rd December 1915 and Sergeant on 8 March 1916. Herbert was involved in the Battle of the Somme and he was wounded on 10th July 1916 in the attack on Trones Wood . He was transported back to England three days later on the 13th July on the S. S. Asturias. He died from a gunshot wound to his back at the 1st Western General Hospital, Liverpool. His effects were recorded as 2 one pound notes 2 fifty franc notes 2 twenty franc notes 3 five franc notes 1 note book 6 photos 1 steel mirror in case 4 communion cards private papers 1 note case. Herbert was born in Swinton to James and Jane Moores on 5 April 1884 and was baptised at Holy Rood on 1 June by G. F. Dearden. In 1911, he was living as a single man, aged 26, with his parents at Hazlehurst Cottage, Worsley. His occupation was listed as Municipal Clerk at Manchester Council. Ten years earlier, in 1901, he was 16 and was a Corporation Clerk, living then at 2 Hazlehurst Road with his family. His father James had married Jane Cordwell, 25, a Mill Hand, of King St., Irlams o'th' Height on 17 June 1880 at St. John the Evangelist, Pendlebury. Sergeant Herbert Moores, of Hazelhurst Cottage, Moorside, and one of the City "Pals", has died in hospital at Fazackerley, near Liverpool, from wounds he received during the second part of the great advance. The actual day on which he was wounded is not yet known, but it was between the 7th and 12th inst. He arrived at Liverpool on Saturday evening and the members of his family have been to see him. One of his brothers was present when he died on Tuesday evening. Sergeant Moores was in the desperate struggle for Trones Wood, and was hit, it is thought, by a sniper. One of this deadly class of shots had killed four of their men, and Sgt. Moores had moved to the flank to try and locate them, but he was immediately hit and fell into a shell hole. On another occasion he informed his relatives, he was with an officer and 20 men entrenching in the wood when shells fell like snowflakes and only eight of the party came through safely. Before being brought to England he underwent an operation in one of the field hospitals. He had several wounds and a second operation would have been performed at Fazackerley , but he was too weak. Sgt. Moores enlisted in the 3rd City Pals Battalion (Manchester Regiment) in August 1914, and went out to France last November. He was very well-known in Moorside. He was a prominent member of the Holy Rood Church choir, and also a member of the Conservative Club. A popular member of the Holy Rood Cricket club, he had for several seasons done good sevice as a fast bowler. Before enlisting, he was on the Town Clerk's staff at the Manchester Town Hall. His body will be brought home for interment. The funeral, which is expected to be of a military character, will take place on Saturday afternoon at Worsley Church, after a special service at Holy Rood Church. (Local newspaper) Information regarding his regiments involvement at the Battle of the Somme can be found here Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Thomas Yates , World War One , WW1 Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester UK Thomas Yates THOMAS YATES Gunner Royal Field Artillery 'A' Battery, 64th Brigade d. 23 January 1919 aged 26 25058 Thomas was the son of James and Mary Alice Yates, born on 15 November 1892 and baptised at St. Mark's by A. W. McLaren on 15 December 1892. His father was a blacksmith and their abode was Berry Fields. In the 1911 census, they lived quite simply at 237 Kempnough. James was still a blacksmith and Thomas, now 18, was a gardener. He had 2 sisters and 1 brother. Thomas was buried in the churchyard on 27 January 1919 by the Rev. H. W. Thorne. His address was 249 Kempnough. He had fought in France and was granted the 1915 Trio of medals. He was also awarded the Silver War Badge due to being discharged due to injury. He was badly wounded in Arras on 10th June 1917 ( Gunshot wound left leg severe). WORSLEY GUNNER'S DEATH The funeral took place at the Worsley Parish Church, on Monday, of ex-Gunner Thomas Yates, who, after serving three years and eight months with the R.F.A. died at his home yesterday week. Deceased was the youngest son of Mr. James Yates, 249 kempnough, Worsley, and enlisted on Sept. 3rd 1914. For over two years he was on active service in France, and prior to receiving his discharge in May of last year, was in hospital for 11 months, having been badly wounded in the left leg. Since leaving the Army he had worked for the London and North Western Railway Co. On various occasions he had been under medical treatment, and since last October had been an outpatient at the Manchester Infirmary. He was taken ill last Monday week, and on the Wednesday morning was removed by ambulance to the Infirmary. He returned home at night and it was seen that his condition was worse. He lost consciousness on the Thursday morning and died in the afternoon. Ex-Gunner Yates was 26 years of age and well known in Worsley. He was associated with the Sunday School, a former member of the church choir, and a bellringer at the church. Numerous letters of sympathy have been received by the family and many wreaths were sent by friends. His elder brother, William Yates, has been in Salonika for two years with the R.A.M.C. and is expected home shortly. The two brothers last met in November, 1914. [Local newspaper] Beneath his name on the family headstone is the inscription HE HAS FOUGHT THE GOOD F IGHT. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back

Information on the graves located at St. Marks Church Worsley Manchester. Kenneth Hickling, World War Two Kenneth R Hic kling KENNETH RUSHTON HICKLING LAC RAF.VR d. 8 October 1942 aged 22 657400 Baptism: 17 Jul 1915 St Leonard, Padiham, Lancashire, England Sydney Hickling - [Child] of William Towell Hickling & Rose Born: 22 May 1915 Abode: 6 King's Avenue, Haslingden Occupation: Assistant Works Manager Marriage: 28 Jul 1914 St Leonard, Padiham, Lancashire, England William Towell Hickling - 26, Secretary, Bachelor, 2 Park Road, Padiham Rose Rushton - 24, Spinster, 5 Blackburn Road, Padiham Groom's Father: William Henry Hickling, Retired Police Sergeant KENNETH RUSHTON HICKLING joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as a Cadet Officer. He had lived at Hazelhurst Cottage, 2 Hazelhurst Road, Worsley, and had been a pupil of Eccles Grammar School. He was the son of William Towell Hickling and Rose (née Rushton) Hickling, of Worsley. Kenneth had been born in Blackpool in the first quarter of 1920. His parents were married on 28 July 1914 at St.Leonard's, Padiham. Kenneth had an older brother, Sydney, born the 22 May 1917, also in Padiham. It appears that he played Lacrosse for Worsley. In his will, administered on 20 January 1943, he left his estate to his father, a dyer. His body was interred at St.Mark's on 13 October 1942. LAC Hickling died at RAF Hospital Rauceby, a hospital housing a crash and burns unit, and specialising in reconstructive plastic surgery, under the wing of RAF Cranwell. His death was registered at Sleaford, Lincolnshire. He is buried in the churchyard in a family grave. Researched and written by Paul R Speakman Back