ASPDEN - In loving memory of Private Percy Aspden, 11 Ash Grove, Rawtenstall. Coldstream Guards, killed in action 1st August 1917, aged 21 years. Constablelee Sunday School, second son to be killed.

Pte. Willie Aspden of the 1st East Lancashire Regt., son of Mr. and Mrs. John Aspden, 11 Ash Grove, Rawtenstall, who, as reported, in last week's "Free Press," died from wounds received in action on October 18th. He was only 23 years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. John Aspden, 11, Ash Grove. Rawtenstall, this week received information thai their fourth son, Pte. Willie Aspden, had died from wounds received in action on October 18th.
Pte. Aspden, who was 23 years of age, was called up on March 21st and joined the 1st East Lancashire Regt. He spent three months at Plymouth training, and then spent a week's leave at home. He went out to France at the beginning of June. He was gassed and spent six weeks in the hospital. He had only been back in the trenches a fortnight when he was severely wounded in the abdomen. He did not know how badly he was hit, and when taken to the dressing station was quite conscious and evidently not in great pain though he was weak through loss of blood. He was removed to one of the casualty clearing stations, but despite the skill and attention he received he gradually got worse, and lapsed into unconsciousness, his end coming very peacefully.
Mr. and Mrs. Aspden have two sons serving with the colours - Percy is with the Coldstream Guards, and training at Caterham, while Jim is with the Border Regt. in France.
Prior to joining the colours Pte. W. Aspden was employed by Messrs. A. Thorpe and Co. Ltd. at Laund Mill.

We regret to state that Mrs. Aspin, of Rakefoot Lodge, has now received intimation regarding the death of her son Horace.

We deeply regret to record the death of still another Crawshawbooth soldier — Private Jack Austin, aged 31 years, whose home was at Primitive Terrace. The deceased had only been in France a few weeks. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war in the East, Lancashire Regiment. Although (at the time of writing) no official intimation had been received of his death, we fear it is only too true.

The Rev. H. Sturt, C. of E. chaplain, writes to Mrs. Austin, under date September 29th, 1915, as follows: — "Dear Madam,— I write to sympathise most deeply with you in your great loss. He was a brave and efficient soldier, and died nobly in defence of his home and country. He was held in respect and affection by his comrades. He can hardly have suffered any pain, as death must have been almost instantaneous. I laid his body to rest in the military cemetery near the spot where he fell yesterday at dusk. May the presence of God be with you in your great sorrow. — Yours, with sincere sympathy,
(REV.) H. STURT, C.F.,
C.of E. Chaplain, 112th Brigade.

Mrs. Austin received the letter on Sunday morning, and the deepest sympathy is expressed with her and the three young children who are left fatherless. The loss is also keenly felt by Private Austin's father. The deceased was very popular in the Crawshawbooth district, and was employed by Messrs. Steiner, Sunnyside Printworks.

Mention was made in the: "Free Press" last Saturday of the dangerously wounding of Gunner John Scott Aynge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Aynge, of Elizabeth-street, Whilewell Bottom. We regret to report that in the meantime intimation has been received that Gunner Aynge has succumbed to his wounds.
The news was conveyed in a letter written by the Weslyann Chaplain at the 19th Casualty Clearing Station in France, and which was in the following terms:—

"Dear Mrs. Aynge, I am sorry to have to tell you your brave boy passed away early vesterday morning and we buried him with all military honours yesterday afternoon. He was plucky right up to the end, bill I feared that he would give in yesterday. You see it is so hard to fight on against pain day and night, and as his wound was partly affecting his breathing he began to struggle, which hastened the end. All that was possible was done for him. We buried him in Hie military cemetery mid in a grave by himself in coffin. he was carried by six bearers of the R.A.M.C.. and after the service the 'Last Post' was sounded by the bugler. It was most impressive in the bright sun light. . We prayed for you and his friends all, and commended him as you to the keeping of God. I have already arranged for a cross with metal lettering to be erected. This will be complete tomorrow and it shall be then erected. We shall plant flowers, and altogether the cemetery will be made to look beautiful. We had a long talk on Sunday, and at the service which he could hear we sang 'How sweet the name,' 'Jesus lover of my soul,' 'Lead kindly light,' all of which lie said were favorites of his or yours. He told me about you all, and his last words when asking me to write were 'Give them my love, tell them I'll be alright in a bit and over to see them.' but it was not to be. May God ccmfort you very much in this sad hour.—Your sincere friend."
(Rev.) J. HENRY MARTIN, Wesleyan Chaplain."

The Sister in charge of the station has also written to Mrs. Aynge:—
"Your dear boy was brought in to our station some days ago dangerously wounded in the chest. The doctors did everything possible for him, and the doctors gave him every care and attention, but he passed quietly away last night (July 10th) at 8-15 p.m. It may comfort you to know that he did not suffer much, and that he was so good and brave and patient under it all. Words fail one at such a time, but I do send you my deepest sympathy, and may our Heavenly Father comfort you at this sad time."

The late Pte. Aynge would have been 21 years of age next month, and was a young man most highly respected by all who knew him. He was a scholar at Whitewell Bottom Wesleyan Sunday School, he was also highly esteemed.

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