Soldiers who died during December 1915

Rifleman Willie Ashworth

Rifleman Willie Ashworth

Born in Dearnley in 1890 and by 1901 he lived with his family 64 Dearnley, Littleborough although by 1911 they lived at 54 Dearnley.

Prior to enlisting in Bury on the 9 November 1914 Willie was employed at Messrs Jackson's Hurstead Mill. He was also a member of the Littleborough Brass Band and a member of St Andrew's Bible Guild.

He enlisted and embarked for France in July 1915.

Rifleman Ashworth was in hospital suffering from influenza and had only been back with his battalion two weeks before he was killed on Tuesday 7 December 1915 by the explosion of a shell.

His name is listed on St Andrew's Memorial Card and their War Memorial as well as on Littleborough Cenotaph.

Rifleman Willie left a widow and two children, aged four and one. He was remembered at a memorial service in Featherstall Sunday Schoolroom on Sunday 19 December 1915.

Lance Corporal James Robertson

James was born in Birkenhead in 1889 but it was not until later, as recorded in the 1911 census, that the family had moved to 73 Smithy Bridge Road.

L/Cpl James Robertson 5863 14th (Kings) Hussars died of wounds on 9 December 1915 in Mesopotamia and is buried in Grave 1 A 17 in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

The March 1916 St Andrew’s newsletter announced his death, adding that he was a former bible class member. His name is recorded on the St Andrew’s Church War Memorial.

Rifleman Willie White

Willie was born in Rochdale in 1899.

Prior to enlisting he lived with his parents for many years at Wardle but on removing to Greengate he began to attend the Smithy Bridge United Methodist Free Chapel and was formerly employed at Messrs Jacksons, Hurstead Mill.

He was posted to the front in France in August 1915 but 20-year-old Rifleman R/6694 Willie White, 7th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps was killed in action on 8 December 1915.

Willie is recorded on St Andrew’s Church War Memorial and Memorial Card and on Panel 51 and 53 Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. There is also a Willie White listed on the War Memorial in the church yard of St John’s, Smallbridge.