A few words...

Harry Ramsbotham 

Age: 31

Reg no: 80184

Rank: Gunner

RGA

Enlisted on 16 November 1915 at Chorley

Skilled Labourer

5 Waterhouse Green

Shrapnel wounds to feet

GSW Head

Witness to a theft, and gave chase, but due to his wounds could not carry on until a taxi pulled up and he managed to overtake and arrest them. Article in local newspaper.

Married Beatrice Moorcroft and had children-Margaret and Kathleen.

Discharged in 1918.

182

Edward Ramsbotham

Age:35

Reg no: 51362

Rank:

1/5 East Lancashire Regiment

As of 26 November 1918

Enlisted on 9 December 1915

As of Enlistment he is living at Sea View Cottages, Whittle le Woods

Married Edith Stringfellow

Demobilized on 20 February 1919 Living at Shaw Hill Cottage

Water House Green in 1949 at time of death. 

183

James Ramsbotham

Reg no: 3318

2/4 Kings Own Royal Regiment

Enlisted 22 April 1915 at Chorley

Wounded in Action with GSW Right Shoulder on 30 September 1918

Lived at 4 Waterhouse Green

His Wifes name is Margaret

Children- Margaret born 11 August 1913 

Demobilized on  8 January 1918

184

John Ramsbotham - Just found this person as of 5/2/2019

Age: 30

Reg no: 123663

Rank: Gunner

RGA

355 SB

Served with 32 Coy as of 8 Ocober 1916 then 355 SB as of 19 January 1917.

Enlisted at Chorley on 15 November 1915

On 1 December 1917 is taken to hospital with Influenza

Granted leave to UK about 1 March 1918

On 5 April 1918  posted to 282 SB

3 May 1918 admitted as wounded

Wounded a couple of occasions-

1 May 1918 - Legs, face and left hand

And then again on 7 June 1918 with GSW to leg, right thigh, extra small note says thumb and face 

Invalided back to England

Next of kin is his Sister, M E Ramsbotham of the Bay Horse Hotel, Whittle le Woods

As both his parents James Ramsbotham and Margaret nee Tuson had died

His trade was a licenced victualler

Demobilized as of 10 February 1919 i think.

Died 27 March 1947 , of the Sea View Inn

185

James Carr Reynard

Age: 19

Reg no: 33078

Rank: Driver

170 Brigade RFA

Enlisted on 8 November 1915 at Chorley

A Clerk by trade

Born in Accrington

In 1911 his family lived at West View Terrace, Whittle le Woods

On enlistment he is living at East Grove, Whittle le Woods

Moved to Manchester ? during service.

Suffered from Influenza in 1916 and sent to  Newcastle on tyne Hospital.

Demobilized on 21 January 1919

186

Bernard Richards

Son of the Headteacher at Whittle le Woods school

Joined the Army in 1909

Served at Mons in WW1 and then Dunkirk in WW2

Newspaper clipping?

187

Henry Riding

Born 1877

Age: 37

Reg no: 17963

Rank: Pte

7 Loyal north Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted on 10 November 1914 at Chorley

Discharged for being physically unfit for further war service in 13 April 1915

Married to Margaret

Children are Sarah, Alice, George, Amelia, Harry, Nellie 

188

William Riding

He was discharged from the 8th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 2nd December 1914 after joining up in Chorley on the 31st August 1914

Reason given -  

"Discharged not likely to be a efficient soldier"

"Due to incontinence of urine"

189

Thomas Riding

Joined the Border Regiment at Carlisle on 2nd November 1914 and went overseas in 1916.

Transfered to the Labour Company on 23rd February 1918

Then discharged due to a shell wound to his thigh on 4th April 1918

Being no longer physically for the service

Both older brothers of George Riding, KIA 

190

Walter Riley

Living at Bridge Street, Whittle le Woods in 1911

He was a Machine Printer Labourer

Married to Ellen 

Children are Eleanor and Annie

Walter Riley

Living at Bridge Street, Whittle le Woods in 1911

He was a Machine Printer Labourer

Married to Ellen 

Children are Eleanor and Annie

191

Stephen Robinson - possible

Born 1896

Living at 1 Mount Pleasant in 1911 with parents George Henry, and Alice Robinson

192

William Robinson

Age: 28

Reg no: 12772

Rank: Pte

3 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted on 1 September 1914 at Chorley

Discharged on 31 July 1917 as no longer physically fit for war servicecaused by GSW to hand

Trade was a Calico Printers Labourer

Married Sarah Alice Todd

Lived at Waterhouse Green as of 1911,

Children are

Albert Lewis

Hilda

Stanley

William

Lived at 5 Town Lane, Whittle le Woods as of enlistment

193

Charles Ronksley

Born in 1894

Rank: L/Cpl

Reg no: 13781

9 South Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted on  6 September 1915

Demobilized on 23 April 1919

Served in France 

Brother of below

194

Isaac Ronksley

Born in 1883

Age: 31

Reg no: 13419

Rank: Pte

10 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted at Chorley on 2 September 1914.

Reverted to Private for being drunk on duty on 11 April 1915

Promoted to L/Cpl on 1 December 1914

Pepatriated Prisoner of War on 26 December 1918 

Demobilized on 1 April 1919

Claimed for disability with GSW to Left(?) Lung

Married Elizabeth Hall on 1 May 1909 at Sacred Heart, Chorley

Children, Sarah Ellen, John, May

Lived at Sea View Cottage as of 1914

Must have moved to 41 Blackstone Road, Chorley in 1919

Parents are John and Sarah Ronksley of New Road Parade? in 1911

All the family are Calico Printers\Weavers

195

Fred Salisbury

Born 1898

Age:18

Reg no: 216715

Rank: Loader

ASC / RASC

Enlisted at Chorley on 3 June 1916

Demobilized 9 December 1919

Lived at Kem Mill

Father is John Henry Salisbury

196

Wilfrid Schofield 

Born 1887 Carrbrook, Cheshire

Parents are George and Rachel Schofield of Shaw Brow in 1901

In 1911 he is married to Margaret Eleanor Braithwaite ?

With children, Fredrick, Francis and Wilfrid.

Living at Lancaster Lane, Clayton le Woods

A Labourer at the Rubber Works

197

William Schofield

Rank: Pte

1 Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment

As of 20 November 1915 

Wounded in Action.

Town Lane, Whittle le Woods

198

John Sergeant

Age: 36

Reg no: 

Rank:

Labour Corp

Enlisted 9 December 1915

Lived at Mount Pleasant as of enlistment

Married Else Maud Morris and had children Doris, Gladys, Ella and Olive.

Moulder at rubber works

Moved to Abbey village

199

William Shorrock

Born in 1878

Rank: Pte

Reg no: 4478

3 Battalion Coldstream Guards

Enlisted at Bury on 4 December 1901

Joined at London on 6 December 1901

Transferred from "A" Reserve, Section A to Section B on 4 December 1905

Re engaged for Section D on 22 October 1913 for 4 years from 4 December 1913.

Mobilized in London on 5 August 1914 and posted to the Reserve Battalion

Then posted to the 3 Battalion on 11 September 1914

4 Battalion on 5 March 1915

5 Battalion on 12 August 1915

1 Battalion on 5 October 1915

Continued in service under Military Service Act of 1916

He was wounded  with GSW to Right side near Guinchy on 14 February 1915

On 16 February 1915, GSW Chest, sent to 10 Gen Hospital at Rouen

On 3 March 1915, GSW to Groin, Sent to England

On same day posted to 4 Battalion and adm to the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland

On 5 October 1915 returned to "Field" , Joining 1 Battalion

12 July 1917 on leave to UK

17 August 1918 granted leave to UK

21 September 1918 to 3rd Army Rest Camp

5 October 1918 has his war pay increased 

3 February 1919 at Heaton Park

Demobilized on 4 March 1919

Possible he was living at Clayton Green in 1911

A Cotton Weaver

Married to Mary Prescott

They had children Agnes, Ann and David

200

John Sharples

Possible of Holt Lane 

201

Robert Sherrington

Born in 1893

Age: 21

Reg no: 11672

Rank: Pte , then promoted L/cpl, Sgt

6 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted at Chorley on 25 August 1914 

Joined at Preston on 25 August 1914

Whilst at Tidsworth - Offence Commited

Absent from Church Parade at 8.40am on 18 October 1914, punishment - reprimanded

Last posting to 3 Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment before being discharged for being surplus to military requirements having suffered with imparment since entry into service on 26 February 1919

Lived at Moss Terrace, Whittle le Woods in 1911

Weaver by trade

His parents are William, a Drayman at the Brewery, and Susanna, and his sibblings are

Alice, Florence, Elsie and Gladys.

.

GSW to Left Leg

Slight Synovitis Right Knee

Moved to 39 Albert Terrace,  Lytham St Annes

202

Charles Singleton

Born c1880

Reg no: 147245

Rank: Pte

R.A.F

Service starts about  9 June 1916  

Discharged on 28 March 1919

Lived at Town Lane at the time and onwards to 1939

Married to Helena ?

Daughter,  Bessie Wareing Singleton born 1911, possibly marrying Richard Prescott

Charles Singleton would pass away 1 month after the 1939 census was taken.

203

John Singleton

No record found yet

204

Herbert Slater

Born in 1894

Rank: Pte

Reg no: 203682

Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Discharged as of 7 June 1919

Living in Whittle le Woods

205

James Slater - possible

Whittle Springs in 1911

206

Albert Smith

No record found yet

207

Joseph Smith

No record found yet

208

James Snailham

Reg no: 15349

11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment.

On 7th September, after hearing about the recruitment from some of his friends, for the Chorley Pals. James Snailham walked the 3 miles from Whittle le Woods to the recruitment office at 17 Market Street, Chorley.

He was only 16 years old.

Worked at Swansey Printworks.

 A well known local soldier who had interviews and books written about him

209

William Snape*

Age: 21

Served in Mesopotamia

210

James Snape*

Age: 19

Served at Blackdown

* Brother was KIA and is on the memorial

211

John Swarbrick

Age: 20

Salonika

Found via newspaper report of John Snape (KIA 1918)

He is Half Brother of John Snape (KIA 1918) and to both above 

All three above lived at Bridge Street in 1911

212

James Stainton

No Records found for him yet

The only James Stainton in the area c1911 is too young being born 1909?

However whilst searching for James Stainton I came across another "Stainton" from Whittle le Woods who was Killed in Action

213

Thomas Matthew Stainton

Born in Sedbergh

Age: 40

Reg no: 17234

Died 26 October 1916

"B" Coy, 2nd Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment

Husband of Elizabeth Stainton, of Sheep Hill Lane, Clayton Green

Inscripton on stone-

PEACE PERFECT PEACE

Buried at Salonika (Lambet Road) Military Cemetery

His name is not on the Roll of Honour or Memorial/Cenotaph at Clayton\Whittle

New Information from a relation of his... 

I too wondered why my grandfather was not on the Whittle and Clayton war memorial.

After a search I discovered that his name appears on the memorial inside St. Saviours church in Bamber Bridge, even though it seems to appear on that as JM Stainton, it is rather worn. I do now remember being taken there, as a child, by my aunt who was his daughter.
The James Stainton that you found, who was too young, was probably my Uncle Jim, Thomas’ son who was born in 1906.
Thomas Matthew was born in Cautly near Sedbergh in 1876. He married Elizabeth Birkett also from Sedbergh,in 1901. He was a farmer.

They had 4 children John Birkett, Margaret Agnes, John Robert and my father Thomas William.
They moved to Bamber Bridge after they got married as my grandfather worked on the Cuerden Hall estate as a farmer. They attended St Saviours church and continued to do so after they moved to Sheephill Lane.

We presume that my grandmother chose to have his name put on the memorial there because they would see it every week when they went to church.
My grandfather joined the Kings Own Lancashire Regiment in 1915 and he died of malaria in Salonica on 26th October 1916.
My husband and I went to visit his grave in Lembet Road cemetery in 2016, as it was 100 years since his death.

214

Joseph Staniforth - Need to double check

Also known as Joseph Edwin Staniforth

Lived at Swansey Lane, Whittle le Woods in 1911

215

Mathias Stephenson

Born 1897

Age 23

Reg no: 35347 \ 51736

2nd Cavalry Regiment

Hussars of the Line

Kings Own Royal Lanc's Regiment

Royal Lanc's Depot

Enlisted 11 December 1916

To Reserves 12 December 1916

Mobilized and posted 18 April 1917

Posted to 1st Coy on 28 February 1918

Transfered to 803 AE Coy, Labour Corp on 13 December 1918

Posted to another unit  on 22 July 1919

Transfered on 28 July 1919 to Class "Z" Army for Demobilization 

Lived at Preston New Road, Clayton le Woods

Discharged on 15 October 1919  with Dysentry.

216

Frank Stocks

Born c1898, Ireland

Lived at Sheep Hill Lane, with sibbling and parents Samuel and Catherine Stocks

217

Thomas Studholme

No Trace yet

218

Arthur Spivey, (methodist Church info)* 

Born 1899

219

Frank Spivey* 

Born 1895

Calico Printers Labourer in 1911

220

George Spivey*

Born 25 April 1896

Age: 18

Reg no: 13237, 158055

Rank: Pte

8 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Machine Gun Corp

Embarked 25 September 1915

Either Discharged or Demobilized as of 5 April 1919

Cotton Weaver

Possibly married Bessie Savage in Prescot in 1918

*  All Sons of George and Emily, other sibblings are Amy , Emily, Lilian, originally from the Askham, Nottingham area coming into Whittle le Woods between 1901 and 1911.

The surname is also spelt SPIVY

221

Albert Thompson

Age: 36

Rank: Pte

Reg no: 45126

3 Cheshire Regiment

Originally from the Hesketh Bank area

Enlisted 27 November 1915

Transfered to Royal Defence Corp on 8 July 1917

Discharged on 14 November 1917 due to inflamation of spinal cord

Origin, Childhood in Ulverston

Small thin arm and leg comparatively with opposite side

His vision 6/24  6/60 and has a double squint.

Married Emma Leader and had children Phyllis and Mark

Lived at Town Lane, Whittle le woods

Labourer by Trade

222

Thomas Towers - NO RECORD YET

Born 1895 in Clayton Green

Son of Richard, a Gardener,and Margaret Towers

Living in Clayton Green as of 1911

Labourer for a Twister

223

John Turner

Possible he was born in 1886

Living at lower Copthurst

224

Wiliam Turner

Born 1884

Reg no: Pte

Rank: 65944

South Lancashire Regiment

Demobilized on 18 April 1919

225

William Turner

Either this is a mistake or there is another William turner signed up !

226

William Tuson

Born c1883

Reg no: 4479

Enlisted at Bury, Joined at London

1 Coldstream Guards

Enlisted on 4 December 1901

Transfered to Army Reserve as of 4 December 1904 on his expiration of his army service 4 December 1905.

Re-engaged as of 5 September 1913, for four years from 4 December 1913.

Mobolised at London on 5 August 1914.

Poste to various CG Battalions 

"Wounded in the field" at least 3 times with GSW and shrapnel wounds

Finally Demobilised on 4 March 1919.

A Labourer as trade

His son Arnold served in WW2 being Killed in Action (27 May 1914)

227

Edwin Walmsley 

Born 1893, Died c1971

Reg no: 15865

11 Battalion East Lancashire Regiment

Chorley Pals

Enlisted on 22 September 1914 at Chorley

He worked at Kem Mill up until he enlisted 

Married Sarah Entwistle

Son of Robert and Elizabeth

Brother of Below and William Justice Jones 

228

Septimus Walmsley

Born 1889, Died 1970

WW1 service ?

Worked at the ROF in 1939

Married Ellen Bamber

Son of Robert and Elizabeth

Brother of above and William Justice Jones 

229

Thomas Warbrick

Born 1889

Reg no: 13916

Rank: Pte

9 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted on 2 September 1914 at Preston

Posted as Missing on 11 June 1918 

Taken as Prisoner of War

Repatriated on 9 December 1918

Demobilized as of 6 March 1919

Living at Radburn Brow, Clayton Green in 1911 with his father William Warbrick and five sibblings.

Henry, Ellen, Isabella, Mary and Anastasia.

230

Walter Waterhouse - MORE RESEARCH NEEDED, AS THIS SOLDIER HAS SEEN SOME ACTION !!

I have a picture of him 

Age: 19 as of 1895

Rank: Pte, Sergeant (1911) CSM, RSM upto 1919

Reg no: 4929

1 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted on 15 August 1895

Joined at Preston on 16 August 1895

Promoted to L/Cpl on 11 March 1898 with extra pay

Promoted Cpl on 14 March 1900

Extended to complete 12 years with the colours on 3 November 1902

Promoted Sergeant on 9 February 1906

Promoted Company Q M Sergt as of 9 June 1914

Relinquished his new appointment and goe's back to CSM on 30 June 1914

Posted as missing

Prisoner of War as of 30 November 1914

Repatriated Prisoner , as CSM  on 18 November 1918

Elected to draw pension whilst serving as of 23 January 1919

Promoted on 20 June 1919 to (T)emp/ RSM

Discharged 19 April 1920 after approx 25 years of service 

Stationed away at Burtpore Barracks, Hants in 1911

Born in Accrington

Family is living in Whittle le Woods as of 1891 to 1911

Parents are David and Mary Waterhouse

Living at Rockleigh, Horns Road, Stroud, Glos. as of Discharge

Living on a Pension of £92, 13, 7 per annum as of 23 June 1948 

South African Campaign

Wounded at Kalfontien on 23 May 1901

South African Medal & 3 Clasps

Kings Medal & 2 Clasps

Awarded Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct in 1914 

Entitled to wear to Clasp on his 1914 Star Medal and the Roses on the Star ribbon ( I think)

A bar clasp inscribed "5 Aug. to 22 Nov. 1914" was given to all those who qualified for the 1914 Star and who served under fire. Since the same ribbon is used with the 1914-15 Star, holders of the 1914 Star were permitted to wear a small silver rosette on their ribbon when the decoration itself is not worn. On the medal index cards this is usually noted as the "Clasp and Roses" or "C&R" .It was necessary to apply for the issue of the clasp.

Mentioned in Sir John French's Despatches 8\10\1914?

London Gazette on 9\12\1914

Mentioned in Lord Kitchener's Despatch to Secretary of State for War dated Pretoria 8 July 1901

For good service during attack on enemy to Venterdorp on 23 May 1901?

London Gazette on August 20th 1901?

Defence of Kimberley, Transval

231

James Waring 

Possible son of William and Amelia

Chorley Old Road

232

Clement Waring - NEED TO CHECK

Rank: Pte

Reg no:19985

Grenadier Guards

Think he enlisted at Leeds on 26 October 1914

Did not serve in the BEF

Discharged on 1 August 1916 as being no longer physically fit for war service

Lived at Whittle Springs in 1911

Mother still there at the time of his enlistment 

233

Walter Waring

Possible of Chorley Old Road

Parents are William and Amelia 

Married to Hilda 

234

Leo Waring

Born 1891

Victory II

Royal Navy

Enlisted about 5 August 1916

Demobilized as of 1 May 1919

235

Miles Weaver

Age: 35

Reg no:17960

7 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Enlisted at Chorley on 10th November 1914 

Formally in the Volunteer Artillery, Preston for 7 years

Discharged as physically unfit for further war service on 13th April 1915

236

Walter Weaver

From Farrington

Age: 33

Reg no: 23367

Rank: Pte

15 Kings Liverpool Regiment

Enlisted at Chorley on 17 November 1914

Then posted as 28790 to 3 Cheshire Regiment on 12 November 1915 and then 9th Cheshire Regiment on 18 December 1915.

Demobilized on 4 April 1919.

Married Sarah Cooper at St Johns on 1 September 1900 and they had four children, William, Edith,Elizabeth and Thomas.

Living at Naylors Fold.

In 1920 they lived at 5 Dickinson Terrace.

Related to Jack Cooper Sharples KIA

237

Wilfred Westhead

Son of James and Ellen Westhead nee Yates 

Living at Lukes Row, Whittle le Woods in 1911

A Labourer at the Bleach Works

238

Daniel Withnell

Reg no: 16918

8 Loyal North Lancashire Regiment

Then Bedford Regiment

Enlisted on 30 September 1914

Joined at Preston on same day

On a casualty list C635, wounded on 19 October 1915

Farm Labourer

239

Thomas Withnell

No record yet

240

John Withnell

No record yet

241

Richard Withnell

A Gardener

Possible he is husband of Ada,

Father of Ellen and William

In 1939 living at "The Glen", Preston Road

242

Charles Williams - Have a picture

Born 1894

Age:

Reg no: 13835

Rank: Pte

Cyclist

Discharged as of 12 March 1919

Brother of below

Cotton Weaver

Mayor of Chorley in 1951 and also a founding member of the Chorley Historical & Archaeological Society

243

George Williams - Have a picture

Born 1896

Age 19

Lived at 10 Smith Terrace, Whittle le Woods

Reg no- 28906

Enlisted at Chorley on 11 Decemeber 1915

18th Lancashire Fusiliers

During his service he is wounded in action

He was 5ft 2 inches

Father is Joseph Williams

244

John Wilson

Possibly of Halls Square in 1911

A Labourer for a Canal Company

245

John Whittle

Enlisted: 14 November 1914 

Reg no: 15933

8 Kings Own Lancaster Regiment

Discharged on 31 May 1915

After making a mis statement as to age on enlistment

(Correct age on enlistment is actually 16 1/2 but he lied to get in)

He managed to get 6 months of army life

Father is John Whittle of Bridge Street, Whittle le Woods

He was a Weaver

246

John Wilkins- NEED TO CHECK

Reg no: 9812

Rank: Pte

Scots Guards

Lived at Fern Villa, Whittle le Woods

247

William Wilkinson

Born c1868 

Rank: Pte

Reg no: 7212

12 TF RDC

Discharged as of 1 March 1918

Living in Whittle le Woods

248

Frederick William Wood

Rank: Pte

Reg no: M/349456

RASC

Discharged on 13 April 1920

Living in Whittle le Woods

249

Samuel Wood

Reg no: S/382993

Rank: Pte

RASC

Discharged on 9 April 1919

He lived at Town Lane, Whittle le Woods

Son of Joseph And Elizabeth Wood

250

Henry Wrennall

Age: 28

Rank: Pte

Reg no: 326681

ASC

488 Coy RASC on 31 May 1919

Enlisted 9 December 1915 at Clayton le Woods

Demobilized on 21 October 1919

Cotton weaver by Trade

Married Ada Lucas 14 August 1918

Living with Ada at 27 Swansea Fold in 1939, a Farm Labourer

251