World War 1

Retlaw · 15-02-2009, 16:26

As some of you may know I'm reseaching the lives of men from Greater Accrington, (now Hyndburn) who served in the first World War.
I now have the names of over 14000 men and photos of near 3000 of them.
What I can't understand is how so many men can have so few descendants on Accy Web. If any of you have any photo's, postcards, letters or diaries from that era
could you let me know.

Thanks
Retlaw.

cashman · 15-02-2009, 16:40

me grandad did retlaw,but sadly you probably know more about him than i do,was only around 13 when he died.

Retlaw · 15-02-2009, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

me grandad did retlaw,but sadly you probably know more about him than i do,was only around 13 when he died.

Who was he.
Retlaw

churchman phil · 15-02-2009, 19:43

My great grandad was Arnold Kay from Clayton-le-Moors. Do you have anything on him??
My mother has a photo of him in his uniform which I'll try and get a copy of if you don't have him already.
Is there a reason for you doing this Retlaw??

Retlaw · 15-02-2009, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by churchman phil

My great grandad was Arnold Kay from Clayton-le-Moors. Do you have anything on him??
My mother has a photo of him in his uniform which I'll try and get a copy of if you don't have him already.
Is there a reason for you doing this Retlaw??

Hi Churchman
I have nothing on an Arnold Kay from Clayton.

I have an Arthur Kay from Rishton.

Did Arnold live in Clayton when the war started, do you know regiment and number ?.

Why am I doing it. It started some 20 years ago doing research for William Turner on some of the "Pals".

Just started collecting bits of information on other men I came across, until it developed into what it now is.

Can't stop.

Retlaw.

Mrs B · 15-02-2009, 22:13

Can I claim my descendancy please?

I'm afraid that I have no photos, letters, or anything, but know I had two relations who served, believe a third probably did, and have an inkling re a fourth.

I'll PM you some names to see if you have anything - and to check that my idea of Accrington co-incides with the locals!

churchman phil · 15-02-2009, 22:16

Deffo not Arthur.
Was Arnold Kay, was married to Annie (Riley) and had three children (one my grandmother) on his return from the war. He eventually died of respiratory problems in the mid 20's iirc. Will try and get more info for you if you like.

Retlaw · 15-02-2009, 22:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by churchman phil

Deffo not Arthur.
Was Arnold Kay, was married to Annie (Riley) and had three children (one my grandmother) on his return from the war. He eventually died of respiratory problems in the mid 20's iirc. Will try and get more info for you if you like.

Yes please.
Are you sure he lived in Greater Accrington at the outbreak of WW1

Retlaw.

garinda · 15-02-2009, 23:58

I know for sure two of my great grandfathers served in the Great War.

One was Walter Jones of Oswaldtwistle, who also served in the Boer War by lying about his age, saying he was older than he was.

The other was Alfred Martin, who never recovered from being gassed in the trenches, and died ten years after the war had ended.

Both of those lived in Oswaldtwistle.

Another great grandfather lived in Accrington, by the name of Issac John Rushton. I presume he served in the war. (Issac could be spelled Isaac, I can't read my own writing.)

We've certainly photographs, medals, and other paperwork relating to Alfred Martin.

Retlaw · 16-02-2009, 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I know for sure two of my great grandfathers served in the Great War.

One was Walter Jones of Oswaldtwistle, who also served in the Boer War by lying about his age, saying he was older than he was.

The only Walter Jones I have is Pte. 235907. A.S.C. lived at 10 Oswald St Clayton.

The other was Alfred Martin, who never recovered from being gassed in the trenches, and died ten years after the war had ended.

Alfred Martin Pte. 386028 A.S.C. lived at 9 Jubilee St. Ossy. worked for Enfield Manufacturing Co.

Both of those lived in Oswaldtwistle.

Another great grandfather lived in Accrington, by the name of Issac John Rushton. I presume he served in the war. (Issac could be spelled Isaac, I can't read my own writing.)

No record of an Isaac John Rushton.

We've certainly photographs, medals, and other paperwork relating to Alfred Martin.

May I, at your convenience copy the photo of Alfred Martin for my collection of Heroes.

Retlaw

garinda · 16-02-2009, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

May I, at your convenience copy the photo of Alfred Martin for my collection of Heroes.

Retlaw

Yes of course. There's certainly some of him in uniform, and I think there's some of him in those blue(?) uniforms, they wore when they were sent to convalesce back home after being gassed.

All the stuff is at my family home, so hopefully I'll search it out for you this week, and pm you when I've done it.

ossy kid · 16-02-2009, 04:30

As I wasn,t born in Acc dist I have none but my wife has lots, here are some.
Francis Whittaker #240106 D-Oct.18,1918, we have a photo of him in uniform.
Christopher Marsden #15691 D-May.17,1915. James Dowling #10160 D-Aug.28,1916.
Jonathan Dowling #19679 D-Sept.3,1916. John W. Patterson #12267 D-Oct.23,1916.
She also lost a couple of uncles in the second WW.

churchman phil · 16-02-2009, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Yes please.
Are you sure he lived in Greater Accrington at the outbreak of WW1

Retlaw.

Victoria Street, Clayton-le-Moors.

garinda · 16-02-2009, 09:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

May I, at your convenience copy the photo of Alfred Martin for my collection of Heroes.

Retlaw

I've just realised Walter Jones would still have been in Wales then, so that's why he's not on your list.

Issac Rushton I've worked would have been in his early fifties at the outbreak of war, so ditto.

Ernie · 16-02-2009, 12:03

HARTLEY, Pte. John James, 9552 (2nd Bn., Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt.)); s. of Matthew and Margaret Hartley of 14 Adelaide Street, Accrington; k.i.a. 23rd November 1917 (20); comm. Arras Memorial. [1, 2, 3, 4]

HARTLEY, Rifleman Thomas Howarth, 2710 (7th Bn., Royal Irish Rifles); s. of Matthew and Margaret Hartley of 14 Adelaide Street, Accrington; k.i.a. 9th September 1916 (24); comm. Thiepval Memorial. [1, 2, 3, 4]

These are my two great uncles, I never met them obviously, as I was not born until 1952.