World War One: St Peter's, Middleton Fallen Servicemen - part two

In remembrance of those who fell during World War One, Rochdale Online is sharing the stories of St Peters Middleton Fallen Servicemen extracted from Middleton`s Brave Sons published 1919.

Private P Kelly

Private Philip Kelly was a son of Mr and Mrs P Kelly, of Phyllis Street, Middleton Junction.

Kelly, who was 28 years of age, joined the Army on 18 January 1915, being at that time employed in the cotton trade at Hollinwood. He was a member of St Peter’s Dramatic Society, Middleton, and was prominently associated with many social gatherings in connection with the school.

Private Philip Kelly, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, was killed in action on 31 July 1917.

An officer wrote to the parents: “Although not in my platoon I have often noticed him, owing to his smartness on parade and his bravery in action. He behaved like a hero on July 31st, when he was killed in the trenches we had just captured. Your loss is ours, and I can only once more express to you my deepest sympathy.”

Private J Mahoney

Private James Mahoney, of the Royal Scots, resided at St Leonard Street, Middleton, he worked for the Green Lane Spinning Co., Middleton Junction, and went to St Peter’s Day School, but after his marriage attended Primitive Methodist Church.

Private James Mahoney, 32, entered the Army in October 1914, and went to France in January 1916.

Private James Mahoney, of the Royal Scots was reported missing on 28 April 1917 and afterwards presumed to have been killed on that date.

Private A McGrotty

Private Alec McGrotty, lived at 178 Oldham Road, Middleton and worked as a stripper and grinder at the Irk Mill, he was connected with St Peter’s Church, Middleton.

He enlisted in December 1916 and went out to the front on 6 March 1917. In April 1917, he was wounded by shrapnel, but did not come back to England.

Private Alec McGrotty, of the Labour Corps, died from influenza on 14 November 1918 aged 27.

Petty Officer J A Magann

Petty Officer John Austin Magann lived at Parkfield, Middleton, he went to St Peter’s Day School and was employed by Mr H W Lawson. He joined the Navy 10½ years previous to the war.

Petty Officer John Austin Magann, 34 years of age, was drowned in the sinking of H.M.S. “Black Prince” in the great battle off the coast of Jutland.

Private T Mccabe

Private Thomas McCabe lived at 37 Park Street, Middleton, with his aunt, Mrs Mullen. In civil life he was employed as an upholsterer in Manchester. He was connected with St Peter’s Church, Tonge, and was a member of the St Peter’s Young Men’s Club.

He enlisted in February 1915 when he was 39 years of age.

Private Thomas McCabe, of the King’s Own Royal Lancasters, was killed in action on 21 September 1917.

Major C Nugent

Major Charles Nugent, lived at Grimshaw Lane, Middleton Junction. As a youth Major Nugent lived at Middleton Junction, where he had many friends, but the principal sphere of his activities was St. Peter’s, Middleton.

At the early age of 18 he joined the Army Veterinary Corps and gave himself seriously to the work of educating himself. He rose step by step, obtaining a commission in August 1909, and proceeded to India with his regiment.

On the outbreak of war he was promoted first Lieutenant, and drafted to France with the 2nd Royal Berkshires.

After a few months in France he was further promoted and made captain early in 1915 and was wounded in the same year.

In the autumn of 1915, whilst on leave, he was married at St. Peter’s by the late Canon Wigman. He returned almost immediately to France and was actively engaged in some of the severest fighting of 1916-17, being gassed several times. He attained the rank of major early in 1917, which rank he held when hostilities ceased on 11 November 1918.

Six days after the Armistice, Major Nugent fell a victim to the influenza epidemic, and died at Valenciennes on 17 November 1918 and was buried at Valenciennes Communal Cemetery 19 November 1918 with military honours.

The end of such a brilliant career at the early age of 35, after going through the whole campaign from 1914 to 1918, is truly one of the tragedies of the war. Major Nugent left a wife and little son to mourn his loss.

Private J Robinson

Private John Robinson, of the Canadians, son of Mrs Robinson, of Highfield Street, Middleton. Private Robinson was a well-respected member of St Peter’s Catholic Church, where he was altar boy for fourteen years. He was formerly employed at R. K. Lee’s, but in January 1909, emigrated to USA, where he was employed in a cigar manufactory.

From there he went to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he became an enthusiastic colonist.

When war broke out he enlisted, and after twelve months’ training in Victoria, arrived in England in February 1917. After a brief holiday in Middleton he went to France in May 1917, and on 17 August was killed.

An officer wrote: “Your son, along with a party of five others, was on special duty soon after we arrived in the trenches, and it was whilst carrying out the work allotted to him he was killed. It may be some consolation to you to know that his end was very peaceful, and that he did not suffer any pain. His death is greatly lamented by the boys in his platoon, where he was very popular, and we wish to extend to you our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your dear son.”

Private M Rattigan

Private Michael Rattigan, son of Mr and Mrs L Rattigan lived at 26 Park Street, Middleton. He was employed at Levinstein’s, Blackley, and was connected with St Peter’s Church, Tonge.

He was 27 years of age when he enlisted in April 1916.

Private Michael Rattigan, of the Labour Corps died in action on 11 October 1917.

An officer wrote to the soldier's mother: “I regret to inform you that he was killed by the enemy’s artillery fire. As the men were proceeding to work a shell fell by the side of the road, causing a number of casualties. I wish to offer you my sincere sympathy in your sad loss, and to assure you that your son always did his duty like a good soldier, and his country has benefited as much by his work as if he had carried a rifle.”

Private J Smith

Private James Smith, of 18 Albert Street, Middleton, worked for Messrs. R. Halliday and Co., with whom he had been employed for 25 years. He was connected with St Peter’s, Middleton, and had been 19 years with the Volunteers, Territorials, and National Reserve. He was a well-known runner and swimmer.

He was 40 years of age when he enlisted on 29 August 1914, going to the front in January 1915.

Private James Smith, the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers was killed in action at St. Julien on 1 May 1915. He left a widow and six children.

Private O Simpson

Private Owen Simpson, of Nelson Street, Middleton Junction was a conductor on the Middleton tram cars, he attended St Peter’s School, and was a member of the brigade.

He enlisted in February 1916 and had been in France about two months when he died in July 1916, whilst fighting with the Lancashire Fusiliers in France. He was 21 years of age.

The boy’s mother received a letter from a corporal of the same company, under date 26 July, which stated: “I am sorry to tell you that your son was severely wounded along with other comrades who were in the same trench, and that since he has died of his wounds. I cannot say much, for it has fairly touched me as well as his mates. He had only been with us a short time, but he proved himself a soldier, and it was whilst he was doing his duty that it happened. One of the German shells let in the trench and caught eight of them. I escaped, only getting buried with sandbags and dirt, for which I thank the Lord above, for I was the only one to escape. May God console you in a moment like this.”

Private Frank Tagg, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, writing from Whitchurch, said: “It is with a sad heart I write these few lines to you to say how deeply I sympathise with you in your sad bereavement in the loss of your dear son Owen. He was one of my closest chums. The boys that are left send their deepest sympathy, because he used to cheer us up so.

“You have given the most valuable thing you could give, something that money could not buy, your own flesh and blood, in order that we may keep our liberty and not have to undergo the terrible ordeals of German kultur. He did his best for his country, and may God grant him eternal rest.

“I believe they have had to face great odds but kept their faith to the end. God bless them all! We doubt not that for one so true God will have other, nobler work to do. Surely for him high service waits, though earth’s last fight is fought. God did not give that martial soul to end at last in nought. That steadfast soldier’s heart was not for this life alone. ’Tis a soldier he will stand before the great white throne.

“And so we leave him in God’s loving care and keeping. There are four crosses only to be won in France - the Victoria Cross, Military Cross, Legion Honour Cross, and the cross over the graves of the fallen. More get the latter than any other, and Owen, poor lad, has made the great sacrifice, left home, friends, pleasure, and comfort, all for his country. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’ So once again I give my deepest love and sympathy to you, who, I know, will be torn with grief and pain. He will never be forgotten by one who thought so much about him, and he will always live in my heart.”

Private F A Smith

Private Francis Ambrose Smith, son of Mr and Mrs C Smith, of 42 Hannah Street, Middleton was a minder at the Times Mill, and was connected with St Peter’s Church.

He enlisted in March 1916 and went to the front in October of that year. In March 1917, he received shrapnel wounds in the side and back, but from these he recovered and went back to the front in May.

Private Francis Ambrose Smith, was killed whilst with the Lancashire Fusiliers in France on 10 August 1917 aged 24.

The captain wrote to Mrs. Smith: “He died nobly doing his duty, and this, I trust, will be a great comfort to you. He was a good soldier, and we miss him very much. The officers and men of the company join with me in expressing our deepest sympathy to you in your trouble.”

Private T F Smethurst

Private Thomas F Smethurst, the only son of Mr and Mrs Smethurst, Manchester New Road, Middleton, was a member of St Peter’s Catholic Church, Middleton, and the Central Workingmen’s Club, Booth Street.

Private Thomas F Smethurst of the 1/8th Manchester Regiment (Territorials) was 31 years of age when he died in hospital on 16 August 1915 from wounds received in action at the Dardanelles on 7 August.

Private J Timms

Private James Timms, son of Mr and Mrs Timms, 12 Grimshaw Lane, worked as a piecer at the Malta Mill. He was a member of St Peter’s Church and the Catholic Boys’ Brigade.

He joined the Colours on 27 April 1915 and took part in the fighting at Gallipoli.

Private James Timms, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action on 6 September 1917 aged 21.

Engine Fitter J Whittle

Engine Fitter James Whittle, of 6 Uplands, Manchester New Road, Middleton was an engineer at Castleton and was connected with St Peter’s Church and Club, Tonge. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 3 July 1918.

Engine Fitter James Whittle, aged 23, died of bronchial pneumonia at Plymouth on 31 August whilst serving with the Royal Navy.

Lieutenant W Watson, D.C.M.

Lieutenant William Watson, D.C.M., for a number of years he had acted as a drill instructor to “E” Company of the Volunteers, and then resided at the Drill Hall.

On the outbreak of war he immediately re-joined the Army in August 1914, and had done splendid work for his country throughout his service. He had 21 years’ service in the Army before coming to live in Middleton, and his D.C.M. was gained during the South African campaign. He was connected with St Peter’s Church, Middleton.

Lieutenant William Watson, D.C.M., 60 years of age. died on 18 June 1918, in Ireland, where he was serving as draft conducting officer.

Lance-Corporal P Wardle

Lance-Corporal Peter Wardle, who lived at Morton Street, Middleton was a spindle maker, He was connected with St Peter’s, Middleton.

He enlisted in March 1915 and went to the front on 1 July 1917.

Lance-Corporal Peter Wardle, aged 36, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers was killed on 24 November 1917.