Private Jack Garner (John William) recognised on anniversary of his death

 Thursday 1 January saw Private Jack Garner (John William) from Littleborough recognised on the anniversary of his death.

John William Garner was born in 1892 and at the time of the 1901 census was living at 4 Clough with his parents, William, a warehouseman, and Alice. His three brothers and three sisters were also living at that address.

By 1911 the family were living at Long Clough Farm with John William, a weaver in a Fustian Mill, and his father, a Cut Cooper in a Fustian Mill and a farmer.

Whilst there is a serviceman called Jack Garner, a Rifleman with the service number Y/196, it is clear from his service records that he was actually John William – and it is confirmed that he was born in Littleborough.

It is understood that John William married Elizabeth Coward in the first quarter of 1913. A year later he enlisted in Rochdale with his service records showing his father as still living at Long Clough Farm, Littleborough.

Rifleman Y/196 Jack Garner, 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps died of wounds on Friday 1 January 1915. His name is inscribed on panels 32 and 33 of the Le Touret Memorial in Pas de Calais, France. Due to the cause of death being wounds, there is a possibility that Private Garner was buried by a casualty clearing station – his original grave being lost during subsequent warfare.

His widow Elizabeth is reported as first living at 14 Rooley Moor Road and later at 5 Hardman Square, Rochdale. Jack and Elizabeth had a child together but the name and sex are unknown.

Elizabeth subsequently remarried and was Elizabeth Taylor when she signed for her late husband’s war medals in 1921.

The name John Garner is on the Holy Trinity Church War memorial and the name John W Garner is on the Littleborough Cenotaph.