Wigan Album

Lest we forget.

Of Bryn, Lancs. No.18103. South Lancs Regiment. 2nd. Btn.Died 09.12.1916 (cwgc records as aged 36 years.) Died in Chichester Sussex. Buried Chichester Cemetery. Ref. 121. 77.

What double tragedy. His service record shows that he lost his wife in 1915 and the children were being cared for by Mrs Dawber. He died at Graylingwell Hospital, cause: Gunshot wound. He was 5' 6 1/2" height and 38" chest when expanded. Posted to the 1st Bn South Lancs. I hope their children managed to make a good life.

What a very sad story..God bless them all.

Each one of them, very brave men. Serving under appalling conditions. Wasn't there a gentleman, I believe his name was Woodcock, a Wigan lad, that was awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in that conflict? I know a soldier, born in Abram, was awarded the Victoria cross, for bravery at Gallipoli. I cannot bring his name to mind.

Ref my last comment, go tohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Woodcock_(VC)

Ref the recipient of the Victoria Cross by the soldier from Abram, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Elisha_Grimshaw

Anne,
Thomas was born April-Jun.1884 in Warrington, the youngest of at least four children of Patrick Stanton b.1840 in Ireland and Mary Walsh b.1853 Claremorris, Ireland, who were married in Warrington in Oct-Dec.1871. His father died in Warrington in 1886 and his mother married again to John O'Brien, at St.Paul, Warrington in 1890. Consequently, in 1891, when the family were living at Blackley St., Goose Green, although recorded as stepchildren they were registered under the name O'Brien on that census. Thomas' older brother Patrick Joseph (b.Middlesborough) married first Ann Johnson then Margaret Johnson, lived in Golborne and had 16 children. In 1911, mother , Mary O'Brien was living with them at 18, Queen St., and is recorded as "widow,legless 14 years." Of Thomas'four children:
George Oliver died in Ashton in 1920 aged 12 years and Lily in 1923 aged 9 years.
Mary Ellen married Arthur Johnson and Annie married Joseph Buckley.

Thank you all very much for your help and Stan what a star I couldn't find Thomas dad Patrick he died age 55 but I couldn't find were he came from thanks very much.