He was killed in action on the 13 Jan 1917, aged 30 years, and he is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Harold Ackley was born at Hyde in 1887 to William Ackley and Mary Ann Beswick who were married at St Peter’s Church, Oldham Rd, Manchester, in 1878. He married Martha Ann Turner at St George’s Church, Abbey Hey, Manchester, in 1909. In 1911 he was resident with his wife on Cricket St, Denton, employed as a general labourer at Joseph Howe & Sons Ltd, Amelia St, Denton. The couple had a son, Harold (b.1910, Gorton) and in 1911 he was staying with his widowed grandmother, Mary Ann, on Rylands St, Gorton.
Following Harold Ackley’s death, his widow, Martha Ann, married William Littleton at St John’s Church, Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne, in 1920 and they were resident on Queen St, Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne.
By the outbreak of war, Arthur Bamforth was the Minister at the United Free Methodist Church on Manchester Rd, Denton, and he entered the Theatre of War in France on the 7 Apr 1916. Prior to going to France he visited wounded soldiers in Manchester hospitals and in France he visited them at clearing stations near the front line. For his work as a civilian he was awarded the British Medal.
Arthur Bamforth was born at Featherstone, Yorkshire West Riding, in 1874 to Edwin Bamforth and Jane Addey who were married at Pontefract, Yorkshire West Riding, in 1872. He married Martha Tyson at Guisborough, Yorkshire North Riding, in 1903. In 1911 he was resident with his wife and children in Dingle, Liverpool. He played cricket and football and he was a member of Denton Golf Club. In Denton he established the monthly People’s Service and the Pleasant Monday Evening Meeting for women.
He was killed in action on the 9 Oct 1917, aged 20 years, and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Edward Eric Birkby was born at Denton in 1897 to Ernest Birkby and Elizabeth Ferguson who were married at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1894. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and sister, Dorothy, on Manchester Rd, Denton, still at school.
He entered the Theatre of War in the Dardanelles on the 22 Oct 1915 and he died of dysentery on the 8 Dec 1915, aged 19 years. He is buried in the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Clarence Booth was born at Denton in 1896 to Samuel William Booth and Elizabeth Barlow who were married at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1880. In 1911 he was resident with his parents, brother, William (30), and sister, Gerty (18), on Pearl St, Denton, employed in the iron trade.
He entered the Theatre of War in France on the 22 Feb 1915 and he died of wounds on the 4 May 1916, aged 22 years. He is buried in Bologne Eastern Cemetery, France.
In 1911, as a regular soldier, he was serving with the 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, stationed at Whittington Barracks, Lichfield.
William Burt was born at Congleton, Cheshire, in 1893. He married Alice Taylor at St Anne’s Church, Haughton, Denton, in 1914 and they were resident on Moorside Ln, Haughton.
On one occasion he and a comrade were carrying a wounded soldier on a stretcher when they were struck by a shell that killed his comrade and the wounded soldier. He survived the war.
His brother, 4064 Private Sydney Collis of the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action at Vierstaat, south of Ypres, on the 5 Sep 1915, aged 24 years.
Ernest Collis was born at Denton in 1885 and he married Nellie Embley at Christ Church, Denton, in 1908. He was resident on Heaton St and worked for Denton Urban District Council as well as being a member of the fire brigade.
He was wounded in the head and arm on the 1 Jul 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, where he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Arras, 9 Apr 1917, aged 28 years. He is buried in Bailleul Rd East Cemetery, France.
John Condon was born at London in 1889 and he married Evelyn Moores at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1913. The couple were resident on Hyde Rd, Denton.
He was connected with St Mary’s Catholic Church on Duke St, Denton. Prior to the war he worked in the dying department of Messrs James Bevan & Co, hat manufacturers.
He died at Denton on the 24 Dec 1918, aged 26 years, and his death is unrecorded by the CWGC.
Fred Douglas was born at Denton in 1892 to George Douglas and Emily Lowe who were married at the Ashton-under-Lyne District, in 1883. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and siblings on St John’s Rd, off Frederick St, Denton, employed in the hatting industry.
He was awarded his DCM for gallantry in a trench near Ypres, Belgium. He continued to operate his machine gun after the trenches on his left flank had been evacuated, thus preventing the line from being broken. He showed great ability in working his gun throughout the encounter, and in so doing secured the line. He survived the war.
George Downs was born at Denton in 1884 to John Downs and Annie ‘Ann’ Taylor Downs who were married at St Mary’s Church, Stockport, in 1880. In 1901 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Mount Pleasant Rd, Denton, employed in the hatting industry. Later his parents moved to Elizabeth St.
He entered the Theatre of War on the 10 Nov 1914 and was killed in action on the 26 Feb 1915, aged 21 years. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Wilfred Eaton (aka Wilfrid Eaton) was born at Denton in 1893 to Herbert Eaton and Edna Booth who were married at St Mark’s Church, Bredbury, in 1884. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Hyde Rd, Denton, employed as an apprentice hat finisher. His father died in 1913, aged 48 years, and his mother moved to Bentley Rd.
He enlisted on the 31 Aug 1914 and entered the Theatre of War in France on the 17 Jul 1915 and was killed in action on the 7 Jul 1916, aged 41 years. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
He served throughout the Battle of Loos without being injured.
Thomas Henry Grant was born at Gee Cross, Hyde, in 1875 to Thomas Henry Grant and Mary Barton who were married at St George's Church, Hyde, in 1867. He married Elizabeth Ann Harrison at St Mary’s Church, Newton in Mottram, in 1895. Thomas was survived by his wife and four children; Louis (b.1896, Hyde), Bertha (b.1899, Hyde), Florence (b.1901, Hyde) and Mary (b.1907, Denton).
He was employed as a coal miner at Denton Colliery and was resident on Peacock St, off Ashton Rd, Denton.
At the outbreak of war he was serving on H.M.S. Monmouth, which sank after an action with a German cruiser off the Chilean Coast during the Battle of Coronel on Sunday, 1 Nov 1914.
He died, aged 21 years, and he is commemorated on Panel 1 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial. When H.M.S. Monmouth was sunk her entire crew was lost and among their number was Midshipman George Watson Muir, aged 15 years. He is commemorated on Panel 1 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Charles Evan Harbach was born at Withington, Manchester, on the 22 Nov 1892 to John Harbach and Ellen Williams who were married at Christ Church, West Didsbury, Manchester, in 1889. He was baptised at St Paul’s Church, Withington, on the 8 Jan 1893. In 1901 he was resident with his parents and sister, Mary E (10), on Oxford Terrace, Cotton Ln, Withington and by 1911 he had joined the Royal Navy. The family moved to Manchester Rd, Denton, where he was a member of Hope Chapel Boys Brigade and he was also connected with St Anne’s Church, Haughton.
Charles Harbach was a regular in the Royal Navy and for some time he served on H.M.S. Highflyer. In 1911 he was serving on the cruiser H.M.S. Gibraltar that formed part of the Atlantic Fleet. The Commanding Officer was Captain Ernest F A Gaunt CMG who was later promoted to Rear Admiral.
He entered the theatre of war on the 10 Nov 1914 but at some point he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force. Nothing is known about his service in the Royal Air Force but he was demobilised in 1919. He was awarded the 1914 Star (Mons Star).
His brother, 1027 Gunner John Frederick Hardcastle, served in the 9th Battery, West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, but he was discharged on the 12 Nov 1915.
Frank Mills Hardcastle was born at Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, in 1895 to William Hardcastle and Annie Mary Woolfall who were married at West Derby, Liverpool, in 1891. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and brother, John Frederick (18), and sister, Vera (10), on Haughton Green Rd, Haughton Green, Denton, employed as an apprentice joiner.
He entered the Theatre of War in France on the 26 Jul 1915 and was killed in action on the 11 Aug 1918, aged 22 years. He is buried in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, France.
Harold Hardy was born at Hyde in 1896 to William Henry Hardy and Emma Jane Warren who were married at Holy Trinity Church, Gee Cross, Hyde, in 1890. He was resident with his parents on Farmers Fold, off Hyde Rd, Haughton, on the banks of the river Tame.
He entered the Theatre of War on the 28 Sep 1915 and was killed in action on the 4 Nov 1915, aged 37 years. He is buried in Rifle House Cemetery, Belgium.
He was a regular in the army and had served during the South African War. While on the Western Front he served in the signalling section.
James Horsfall was born at Manchester in 1878 to Edwin B Horsfall and Ellen Grice who were married at Christ Church, Harpurhey, Manchester, in 1866. He married Ellen Wiseman at St George’s Church, Manchester, in 1903. He was survived by his wife and three children; Ellen (b.1904, Ancoats), Madeline (b.1908, Ancoats) and Thomas (b.1913, Denton). The family was resident on Gibraltar Ln, Haughton Green, Denton.
He entered the Theatre of War in France on the 19 May 1915 and was killed in action on the 5 Jun 1915, aged 36 years. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
He was a regular in the army and he served with the Imperial Yeomanry during the South African War. Subsequently, he joined a troop raised by Alfred Hopkinson of Ryecroft Hall, Audenshaw, before transferring to the dragoons.
Joseph was born at Ardwick, Manchester, in 1879 and he married Emily Meadowcroft at St Silas’s Church, Ardwick, in 1903. Their first two children died in infancy but at the time of his death he was survived by his wife and three children; Arthur (b.1909, Ardwick), Harry (b.1911, Denton) and Alice (b.1913, Denton). In 1911 he was resident with his wife and family on Two Trees Ln, Denton, employed as a carter for a tripe dresser.
He enlisted in the army on the 10 Jan 1915 and after training he was posted to France, arriving on the 8 Nov 1915. He was killed in action on the 1 Jul 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 20 years, and he is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, France.
Leo Sebastian Mallalieu was born at Denton in 1895 to Thomas Mallalieu and Agnes Mary Robbins who were married at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1879. His mother died at Denton in 1895, aged 41 years, and his father married Margaret Jane Burns at Cardiff in 1896. In 1911 he was resident with his father, stepmother and siblings on Peel St, Denton, employed as a butcher. He was connected with St Mary’s Catholic Church on Duke St, Denton. Before the war he was working for the Agenta Meat Co of Hyde. His father was a Denton Councillor and General Secretary of the Felt Hatters & Trimmers Unions.
He entered the Theatre of War in Egypt on the 25 Nov 1915 and he died in England on the 1 Jan 1918, aged 25 years. He is buried on the east side of Christ Church, Denton, and is commemorated on a special memorial near the church entrance.
James Maude was born at Denton in 1892 to Ernest Albert Maude and Elizabeth Richardson who were married at St Mark’s Church, Bredbury, in 1883. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Holland St, Denton, employed as an apprentice hatter. His father died in 1911, aged 49 years.
James’s brother served in the army as 12579 Acting Bombardier (formerly Gunner) George Maude of the Royal Field Artillery. He entered the Theatre of War in Egypt on the 20 Jul 1915 and he was demobilised.
He entered the Theatre of War in France on the 10 Nov 1915 and was killed in action on the 23 May 1916, aged 36 years. He is buried in the Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, France.
George Middlemiss was born at Galashiels, Peebleshire, Scotland, in c.1880 to Thomas Kerr Middlemiss and Isabella. He married Frances Bilton at St Thomas’s Church, Hyde, in Jan 1914 and the couple had one child, George, who was born at Denton on the 13 Nov 1914. He was resident with his wife and child on St Anne’s Rd, on the corner with Hyde Rd, Denton, employed as a stone mason at Trafford Park and then on Derby St, Manchester.
It seems that Francis Bilton was the second wife of George Middlemiss, the first being Hannah Sophia Nelson who was born at Sutton, Hull, Yorkshire, in 1877. They were married at Govan, Lanarkshire, Scotland, on the 31 Mar 1899 and in 1901 they were resident at Ford Place, Salford. They had one child, Neil, who was born at Salford Greengate on the 27 Nov 1901 and died on the 11 Jul 1902 at Kinning Park, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
He entered the Theatre of War in France on the 9 Nov 1915 and was killed in action on the 1 Jul 1916, aged 19 years. He is buried in the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, France.
Wilfred Stanley Moores was born at Haughton Green, Denton, in 1896 to Albert Henry Moores and Sarah Middleton who were married at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1893. In 1901 he was resident with his parents and sister, Eva, on Gibraltar Ln, Haughton Green, and in 1911 he was resident with his widowed mother, sister, Eva, and three boarders on Corporation St, Hyde, employed as an apprentice letterpress printer.
He enlisted in the army at Ashton-under-Lyne on the 23 Feb 1914 and in Jul 1914 he was attached to “G” Company of the 9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, with the rank of Private. He entered the Theatre of War at British East Africa, German East Africa, Rhodesia and Uganda, on the 25 Sep 1914. At some point he transferred to the East Lancashire Regiment. He survived the war and at demobilisation he held the rank of Corporal.
John Richard Purcer was born at Oldham, Lancashire, in 1897 to John Richard Purcer and Ellen Price who were married at St John’s Church, Oldham, in 1895. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Charles St, Denton, employed as an apprentice at Cooke Brothers (Denton) Ltd of Moorfield Hat Works, Manchester Rd, Denton. He was also a student at evening school.
He was killed in action on the 8 May 1915, aged 38 years, and he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
William Thomas Royle was born at Dukinfield on the 18 Mar 1877 to Henry Royle and Eliza Ann Henderson who were married at St Stephen’s Church, Audenshaw, in 1874. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and brothers, Harold (20) and Henry (14) on Bridge St, Stalybridge, employed as a galvanizer.
His brother, 26659 Private Harold Royle of the 17th (1st Rosebery) Battalion, Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment), was killed in action on the 29 Sep 1918, aged 27 years, and he is buried in Oxford Rd, Cemetery, Belgium.
He was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on the 3 Jul 1916, aged 36 years, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
He was employed as a silk hat finisher at Walker, Ashworth & Linney on Ashton Rd, Denton.
With the rank of Private he entered the theatre of war at Gallipoli on the 5 May 1915. Sometime after his return from Gallipoli he became an Officer Cadet and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment on the 1 Mar 1917. Sometime later he was attached to the Royal Air Force where he was promoted to Lieutenant on the 9 Mar 1919. The date when he was demobilised is unknown.
Russell Walmsley was born at Denton in 1893 to James Thomas Walmsley and Emma Jane Mather who were married at St Paul’s Church, Blackburn, on the 24 Mar 1883. In 1911 he was resident on Wilton St, Denton, occupied as a student. His father was a secretary and librarian for Denton Urban District Council. In 1919 the home residence of Russell Walmsley was still on Wilton St but a subsequent location was Springfield Avenue, Littleborough, Lancashire. He died at Didsbury, Manchester, on the 14 Nov 1927, aged 34 years.
He enlisted on the 17 Oct 1914 (his birthday) and he entered the Theatre of War in France on the 9 Nov 1915. He was killed in action on the 23 Apr 1916, aged 24 years. He is buried in Citadel New Military Cemetery, France.
Harry Williams was born at Denton on the 17 Oct 1892 and he is the only son of Samuel Henry Williams and Martha Ann Hampshire who were married at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1882. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and sister, Carrie, on Highfield St, Denton, employed as a warehouseman in the hatting industry. A later residence was on Clare St.
He died of illness at home on the 28 Nov 1915, aged 21 years, and he is buried in Gorton Cemetery, Manchester.
Robert Lawrence Wilson was born at Gorton in 1894 to James Wilson and Amanda Theresa Mooney who were married at Barton-on-Irwell, Manchester, in 1883. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Napier St, Gorton, employed as an iron worker. A later residence was on Town Ln, Denton.
After enlisting in the army at Ashton-under-Lyne he was attached to “E” Company with the rank of Corporal in Jul 1914. He entered the Theatre of War at Gallipoli (Dardanelles) on the 9 May 1915 with the rank of Serjeant. He survived the war and he was demobilised on the 25 Jan 1919.
Thomas Winded was born at Denton in 1893 to Alfred James Winded and Mary Ingham. In 1911 he was resident with his parents, sister, Marion (b.1895, Denton), brother, Charles Arthur (b.1897, Denton) and sister, Frances (b.1906, Denton), on Osborne Rd, Denton, employed as a student teacher.
He entered the Theatre of War on the 14 Apr 1915 and died of wounds on the 16 May 1915, aged 24 years. He is buried in the Divisional Cemetery, Belgium.
Albert Wood was born at Denton in 1891 to Samuel Wood and Rachel Reece who were married at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1878. In 1911 he was resident with his parents on Emily St, Oldham, employed as a mule spinner piecer at a cotton mill. He married Miriam Emily Walton at St Paul’s Church, Oldham, in 1913. Following his death his widow married William Woolley at Ashton-under-Lyne District in 1916 and they were resident on Quail St, New Earth St, Oldham.
His medal card records his army rank as Lance Corporal.
He entered the Theatre of War in France on the 16 Sep 1915 and he died of wounds/illness on the 11 Sep 1916, aged 18 years, and he is buried in the Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
James Yearsley was born at Denton in 1897 to Alfred William Yearsley and Elizabeth Bailey who were married at Ashton-under-Lyne in 1892. In 1911 he was resident with his parents and siblings on Belgrave St, Denton, employed as a green grocer’s boy. Later he was in the employ of Messrs Wilde & Booth, hat manufacturers. By the end of the war the family was resident on Lyndhurst Avenue.
At the outbreak of war the 4th Hussars were based on The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. In Aug 1914 they entered the Theatre of War in France as part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade in the 2nd Cavalry Division for service on the Western Front. Here they took part in the Great Retreat in Sep 1914, the First Battle of Ypres in Oct 1914 and the Second Battle of Ypres in Apr 1915. They also helped to halt the German advance at the Battle of Moreuil Wood in Mar 1918. This conflict that saw their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Evelyn Carmichael Darley, killed in action on the 31 Mar 1918, aged 38 years. Harry Yearsley survived the war to be demobilised.
Harry Yearsley is the brother of the above James Yearsley and he was born at Denton in 1899. A third brother is 735698 Gunner Alfred William Yearsley of the Royal Field Artillery. He was born at Denton in 1895 and he survived the war to be demobilised.