Wigan Album
grave stone
12 Comments
Photo: RON HUNT
Item #: 26712
This is an email I received from a friend who I sent the photograph to
That is interesting to see although I have never seen it myself. I knew the name immediately as he is named on the
war memorial in St. Mary's Church at Lower Ince. You have the memorial booklet on WW
which Rev. David Long submitted and with which I had helped him many years ago
following a visit to the church to photograph the memorials.
He is probably also named on the one which was on the outside wall of Christ Church at Higher
Ince as he came from that parish, address given as 14 High Street. I have only ever seen one other regimental badge
memorial which is in St. Luke's churchyard near me for another WW1 soldier.
Ackers' father was a Locomotive Engine Driver and several in their street worked on
the railways.
He has no known grave and is named on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.
It must have cost the family a goodly sum to have that made but it was somewhere they
could go to remember their son. The Coldstream Guards regiment was an elite one.
I meant a gravestone after the manner of a regimental badge not a replica
of one. Actually, they have the date 12th April 1918 whilst official records show 13/4/18
but he was probably reported missing on 12th later presumed dead.
Looks like this lad could have been in thick action in Harsbrouck near Mreville,the Coldstream guards where the cream troops and sent in to push the Germans back. He was twenty four although young to us,he was a veteran to the younger lads.
Unfortunately I cannot find his service record on Ancestry, as I am wondering if he became a soldier well before WW1 and therefore had some choice in what regiment he could join. Perhaps he was tall and the Coldstream Guards was a regiment he could be considered for. Well done Ron, a brilliant find.
Poor lad. It must have been something horrific as commented above, regarding the action. There is a trace of George Kay Ackers in the Soldiers Wills and Effects (Monies due, paymaster war gratuity and monies to be released). The entry there is recorded as 13.4.18 "Presumed". Also on the same ledger page is another Coldstream (a John Lynall) entered exactly same date and the entry "Presumed". What a sad but beautiful stone they had for him, to keep him 'near' at home.
I was looking for a grave stone for a friend who lives in Canada when I just saw a corner of the stone it was covered in soil and grass I was intrigued as to what it was as I could see it was i the shape of a star at first I thought it may have some Jewish connection. So I uncovered it and lifted it up so that people would be able to see it. It looks like it was broken off from the top of a larger headstone which has long since gone.
I've found someone who has George Kay Ackers in their family tree and who seems to be active family history. I have sent them a message, referring them to this site and this photo.
Fingers crossed, everyone, that they do pop on. I have given the site address and where to click from the front page.
Henry Ackers died 29 May 1919, aged 67, address 281 Ince Green Lane; Mary Ann Kay Ackers died 28 November 1921, aged 67; Alice Whittle (Mary's mother) died 1889, address 4, High Street Ince. Grave D456, Non-Conformist section.
(information from Freda's cemetery transcriptions. Perhaps
the larger missing headstone stone had their names on it?
Carol that was around the same location where I discovered the stone.
Done. One of his people has popped on and viewed.
Well done Fert, & Carol, I am impressed with the attention to detail, it's important that this young man is remembered, and same to you Ron for finding the head stone and cleaning it, I'am sure is relative will be proud also.
I was at the Ploegsteert Memorial last week, as well as other 1stWW cemeteries. Wish I had seen this photo before I went so I could have found his headstone. Ploegsteert is like all the other war cemeteries, so well looked after.
The only minor contribution I can make is, a family named Ackers lived opposite 7, Winchester Grove, Lower Ince in the forties, and the fifties, and beyond. I believe the son's name is/was Harry.