Littleborough Soldiers who fell during October 1918

Date published: 04 October 2018

2nd Lieutenant Henry Shuttleworth

Henry was born in Littleborough in 1887, 3rd Quarter. In 1911, Frank Harvey (civil engineer) and Emily and sister at 9 Limefield Terrace, Halifax Road and Henry, like his father, was an architect and surveyor.

Lieutenant Shuttleworth enlisted as a private in August 1914 and was gazetted in June 1918 as 2nd Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers. A report on the promotion was carried by the Rochdale Observer of 22 June 1918.

31-year-old 2nd Lieutenant Henry Shuttleworth, 1st/2nd 16th Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers (2nd Salford Pals) was killed in France on Wednesday 2 October 1918. On the 2 October, the 16th Bn took part in an attack on Ramicourt (North of St Quentin) but was not take it due to stubborn defence.

Henry was buried in Joncourt East British Cemetery Aisne, France, Grave No B32 and is remembered on the Holy Trinity and Littleborough Conservative Club War Memorial, the Littleborough Central School Roll of Honour now located in the History Centre and on Littleborough Cenotaph, as well as the family grave in St James Churchyard.

Private Earnest Schofield

Ernest was born in Smithy Bridge in 1899, Qtr 3, and lived with his parents John and Charlotte and brothers Thomas and Walter at Schofield Hall in 1911. Prior to enlisting, 19-year-old Earnest Schofield lived at 5 Antioch, Rakewood and was a butcher at Littleborough Co-op.

Private Schofield 244513 11 Bn Cheshire Regiment was missing since 3 October 1918 whilst a prisoner of war. It was later confirmed that he was killed on that date.

The Rochdale Observer of 10 May 1919 reported that he had been buried in grave No II F 15 at Glageon Communal Cemetery, France. Private Schofield’s name is included on the Roll of Honour of Rakewood Wesleyan Church but he is not recorded on Littleborough War Memorial or other memorials reviewed.

Private Alfred Mason

Alfred was born in Littleborough in 1894 and by 1911 he was employed as a piecer in a flannelette works and remained with his parents, Thomas and Mary Elizabeth, and brother at 25a Todmorden Road, Littleborough. Prior to enlisting in Rochdale, he worked at Whitelees Mill. It is recorded that he had lived at 5 Victoria House, Hare Hill Road.

24-year-old Private 40190, Alfred Mason, 9th Bn The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) formerly 28124 Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action on Saturday 5 October 1918, shellfire at Proville. Alfred is buried in Grave No I B 35 Anneux British Cemetery, Nord, France and remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph and on the Littleborough Central School Memorial (now in the History Centre).

The Rochdale Observer for 2 November 1918 reported on the sad news being sent to his parents that their eldest son had died. Alfred’s death in fact followed that of his brother in June 1917, meaning his parents had lost their only two sons.

Cpl Walter Whatmough

Walter was born in Littleborough in 1891 and lived at 5 Brown Bank with his mother and brothers and sisters. Walter married Clara in Rochdale in 1910, 4th Qtr, and moved to Hamer. Prior to enlisting in Rochdale, Walter worked at the Albion Mill Co, Littleborough and lived at 68 Halifax Road, Rochdale.

The Rochdale Observer for 29 May 1915 reported that “Mrs Whatmough has received from her husband a letter stating that he is in hospital at Cairo suffering from a bullet wound in the left foot. Whatmough had previously served four years in the local Territorials when the war commenced. He proceeded to Egypt ……. promoted to the position of Lance Corporal. He went to the Dardanelles and there received his wound which he says is not serious. Consequently, he hopes to be alright again soon….”.

27-year-old Cpl Walter Whatmough, 240496 6Bn Lancashire Fusiliers was killed by a sniper at Esnes, south of Cambrai on 9 October 1918, and is buried in grave No III C 17 at the Busigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France. His name is included on the Littleborough Cenotaph and his name recorded on the Roll of Honour of All Saints Church, Hamer. His name is also listed on Littleborough Central School roll of Honour now in the History Centre.

The Rochdale Observer for 9 November 1918 reported that Cpl Whatmough was killed by a sniper on the 9th of last month. It noted that he had also served in Salonica where he was wounded in September 1917.

Corporal William Davies 

William was born in Stalybridge around 1889 and continued living there for some years. By 1911 he was married and living with his wife of two years Rose Ethel, at 8 Graysham Place, Rochdale and they had a son called William. By now, William (the elder) was employed as a backtenter calico printer. His parents lived at 20 Winton Street, Littleborough and before enlisting in Huddersfield, Corporal Davies worked at Gale Printworks.

He went out to France in 1915 but three years later, 29-year-old Corporal 203977 William Davies, 1st/4th Bn Duke of Wellington’s (West Ridings Regiment) was killed in action in France on Friday 11 October 1918. He is buried in Iwuy Communal Cemetery, Nord, France and his name inscribed on Littleborough Cenotaph. He left a widow and two young children living at 48, New Street, Paddock, Huddersfield.

Private George Bertram Lowe

George was born in Littleborough in 1899 but by 1901 the family had already left the town to live at 99 Knowles St, Radcliffe. By the time of his enlistment in Manchester, he was shown as a native of Bradford, Manchester.

He served with the 2 Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as Private Lowe 49718 and was killed in action on 14 October 1918. George was buried in Dadizeele New British Cemetery grave reference III C4. His battalion served with the 36 Ulster Division in the Battle of Courtrai between 14 and 19 October 1918.

Bombardier William Wilson

William was born in Blackburn around 1889. In 1907, he married Sarah Alice (nee Lord) and in 1911 William (a crofter) was living with his in-laws at 17 Egerton St with his wife and his one year old, Thomas Edmund. Prior to enlisting in Bury on the 28 August 1914 William Wilson worked at Frankfort Mill.

The Rochdale Observer for 24 March 1915 reported that Bombardier Wilson was recuperating from pneumonia at Castleton House, Manchester Road, Castleton having transferred from High Street Hospital, Manchester.

29-year-old Bombardier 92435 William Wilson, 19th Bty 9th Bde Royal Field Artillery who died on Wednesday 16 October 1918 from wounds received in action in France. He is remembered on Panel 3, Vis-En-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, also on the Littleborough Cenotaph and the Holy Trinity War Memorial.

Private Abraham Ward

Abraham was born in Littleborough in 1882, 3rd Qtr, but by 1891 he lived in Haslingden where he attested on 11 December 1915, he was a quarryman.

Private Ward was in the UK from 20 March 1916 until he went to France arriving on 19 September 1916. He left for Italy on 13 November 1917 before returning to France.

Private 44442 Abraham Ward (formerly 26193 East Lancashire Regiment) 13th Bn, Durham Light Infantry died of wounds in 53 CCS on the 18 October 1918 and is buried in Grave Number II B 15 Roisel Communal Cemetery Extensions, Somme, France. His name is listed on the Haslingden Roll of Honour.

Corporal Robert Woodruff

Robert was born in Facit in 1888 and lived there for many years. In 1914, Robert (a baker in Whitworth) married Clara Caxon (a cotton weaver) whose father was also a baker in Whitworth. Prior to enlisting in Aldershot, Robert was a member of the Facit Wesleyan Chapel latterly living at 32 Barehill St, Littleborough for a time.

30-year-old Corporal 45853 Robert Woodruff, 1st Bn Royal Irish died of wounds received in action in Belgium on May 21 October 1918 and is buried in Grave Number VIII A 2 Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Harlebeke, Belgium. He left £205 6s 5d to his widow Clara in his will.

The Rochdale Observer for 28 December 1918 reported on a special service in Facit Wesleyan Chapel in memory of fallen members including Robert Woodruff. Robert is listed on Whitworth War Memorial in Facit Festival Park.

Gunner James Worrall 

James was born in Liverpool around 1886 and later in Gorton. He married Annie (Buckley) in Gorton 1907 and they had two girls Susie and Annie and lived at 13 Marie Street Openshaw. They later had sons James and William.

James lived in Littleborough prior to being in the forces and was a boilermaker. His wife lived at 122, Todmorden Road Littleborough.

On the 23 October 1918, 34-year-old Gunner 66959 James Worrall, “A” Coy 282 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery was killed in action and is buried in Grave No. IV. D. 16 in St. Aubert British Cemetery, Nord, France. From September 2006, Gunner Worrall has been remembered on Littleborough Cenotaph.

Gunner Edward Butterworth 

Edward was born in Rochdale in 1897 and for many years lived in Wardleworth with his Grandmother Sarah and family plus they had two boarders. Edward was by a cotton dyer. Prior to enlisting in Rochdale, Edward worked at Clough Dyeworks, Littleborough.

21-year-old Gunner Butterworth (13773) of "C" Bty. 79th Bde Royal Field Artillery died of pneumonia on 25 October 1918 and is buried in Grave LXVI. L. 28 at Etaples Military Cemetery, France. He was the grandson of Mrs. Sarah Butterworth, of 27, Hardy St., Rochdale, Lancs and was a well-known local footballer.

Private Grant Kenworthy

Grant was born in Springhead, Oldham in 1885 and in 1891 and 1901 lived in Delph. In 1905, 4th Qtr, he married Amelia Sharp in Rochdale and in 1911 Grant, a farm labourer and Amelia, a charwoman, were living at 2 Hollingworth Fold, Littleborough (Close to Higher Fold Farm). They had one child called Elsie. Grant subsequently worked as a farmhand at Lark Hill Farm, Dobcross.

Grant enlisted in Huddersfield and was initially in the Durham Light Infantry before moving as Private Kenworthy 45783 with 9 Bn Northumberland Fusiliers.

Private Kenworthy was killed in Action in France on 25 October 1918 when his Battalion attacked North and North West Bermerain on 24 October 1918 and is buried in grave No A3 in the Bermerain Communal Cemetery, France. He is remembered on the War Memorials in Littleborough, Milnrow and on the ‘Pots and Pans’ Memorial at Saddleworth and was also one of six soldiers who died for King and Country who are remembered on the Rakewood Village Roll of honour, which was located in St Hilda’s church, Hollingworth but is now in the History Centre in Littleborough.

Private Clement Royds 

Clement was born in Smallbridge, Rochdale in 1887 and lived with his widowed mother and brother at 16 Johnsons Yard. By 1911, he had become a plaiter in a Cotton Finishing Works. In 1913, he married Bertha Endley in Rochdale and they later lived at Greengate Yard, Hurstead.

Prior to enlisting, Clement worked at the Eagle Raising and Finishing Co, Smallbridge and was associated with Smallbridge United Methodist Church. Private Royds joined 368th Home Employment Co of the Labour Corps but unfortunately died in a London Hospital on 25 October 1918, aged 31 years. Clement is buried in grave Q52 in Littleborough Dearnley Cemetery and remembered on the Wardle War Memorial.

The Rochdale Observer reported on 2 November 1918 “Yesterday afternoon there was interred in the Dearnley Communal burial ground the remains of Private Clement Royds (Labour Corp) of Greengate Yard, Hurstead who died in a London hospital yesterday week. Considerable delay in the funeral arising from out of the influenza epidemic in London…….. The 6 November edition reported that at the Sunday evening service in the Smallbridge United Methodist Church special reference was made to the death of Private Clement Royds.

Private William Arnold Wilson

William was born in Rochdale in 1899 and in 1911 lived with his parents John Alfred and Harriet Grocers, sister and maternal grandmother at 29 Mayfair Gardens, Castleton.

The Rochdale Times reported that 19-year-old Private Wilson, 29136 1/5 Bn King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) died of wounds on 26 October 1918 being buried in grave No V G 6 at Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, France. The Rochdale Times also observed that he came from Calderbrook, Littleborough.

The Rochdale Observer for 14 December 1918 reported on a Memorial Service on Sunday Evening in the Wesley Chapel, Castlemere, in memory of members of the church who have recently passed away including Arnold Wilson. The “Dead March” was played.

Private Tom (Thomas) Howarth

Tom was born in Wardle in 1899 and in 1911 was living at 122 Ramsden Road, Wardle with his parents Joseph and Martha Ann Howarth and his brother Alfred and sister Lizzie. Whilst Thomas was still at school, his father and brother were both cloggers and his sister a cotton section warper. He was formerly the organist at St James Church, Wardle and worked in the Warehouse at Messrs Cleggs’ Shore Mills.

The Rochdale Observer of 13 May 1916 reported that Tom had asked for further postponement of General Service on personal grounds as support for (now) widowed mother, it was adjourned for two weeks.

The Rochdale Observer of 17 March 1917 reported that “The Rev C N Wright writes, with deep regret, that he has lost his organist (Tom Howarth) who (after enlisting in Rochdale) has been sent to Woolwich this week by the military authorities”. It added “Ten years ago Tom entered the choir as a boy of eight … and became the organist. Six members of the choir are now serving their King and country”. 19-year-old Private Howarth, 52059 of 1 Bn Leicester Regiment died of wounds in a Red Cross Hospital France on 27 October 1918 and is buried in Grave No II B26 at Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy. Tom is remembered on Messrs Cleggs’ Shore Mills and Wardle War memorials.

Private Samuel Leslie Howorth

Samuel was born in Todmorden 1899 but by 1911 he lived with his parents James and Ellen, who were bakers at 369 Oldham Road, Rochdale. However, when the Census was taken Samuel was in the Infirmary at Rochdale. He was employed as a clerk on the L&Y Rly. He enlisted in Rochdale as 39440 in East Lancs Regiment but later transferred to 1 Bn Northumberland Regt.

19-year-old Private 65326 S L Howorth was killed in action on 27 October 1918 and is buried in grave I F 17 at Awoingt British Cemetery, Cambrai, France. CWGC advises that Samuel was the son of James and Ellen Howarth of 112, Prince St, Rochdale. Samuel Leslie Howorth is named on the Roll of Honour at St Mary’s, Balderstone and on the War Memorial of Victoria St Congregation Church in Littleborough. However, other than being listed on the latter memorial, there is no confirmatory information that he lived, worshipped or worked in the town.