No obituary available

No obituary available

The above is a photograph of Private Tom Barnes (the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Barnes, Bridge Houses, Lumb) and who was killed by a shell on 21st October, as reported in last weeks "Free Press." In addition to a letter from the captain the parents have since received the following letter from the chaplain:

Dear Mrs. Barnes:- It is with deep regret that I write to acquaint you with the death of your son, Private Tom Barnes of the 9th, Black Watch.
He was killed in action, in a forward position on the 21st October, and we buried him in a Belgian cemetery close to the line. The battalion has already erected cross to his memory, and Belgian inhabitants, who were quite unknown to him, very kindly sent a beautiful wreath of fresh flowers to put on his grave. Your boy was extremely popular in his platoon, and many of his companions have spoken very sorrowfully of the lose they have sustained by his death. You have my deepest sympathy in your bereavement, and pray that the God of all comfort and grace may be with you in your hour of sorrow. Yours Sincerely.
T. A. McELFATRICK...Chaplain.
The late Private Barnes was 20 years of age and was beloved by all who knew him and his untimely death was a sad blow to his sorrowing parents and family. He was very closely identified with St. Michael's Church and Sunday School, Lumb.

No information available

Mrs. Bateman, of Farmer's Grove, Dean-lane, Water, received intimation on Saturday morning that her son, Pte Herbert Bateman, had been killed in action in France. The first news was communicated in a letter from the second lieutenant in Pte. Bateman's regiment. This information was confirmed by a letter from the War Office on Monday morning. The fallen soldier was only 19 years of age, and prior to enlistment was a teacher at Lumb Baptist Sunday School. Of a very quiet and retiring disposition he was universally esteemed. He was the second son of the late Mr. Fred Bateman, for many years the superintendent of Lumb Baptist Sunday School. Pte. Bateman was in the East Lancashire Regiment and had only been in France about five weeks, after a few months' training. Much symapathy will go out to Mrs. Bateman in her great sorrow.

DIED AT HIS GUN

Still another local soldier who appears to have made the supreme sacrifice in the big battle on the Western front is Lce-Corp. Harold Beard, son of Mrs. Beard, of Highfield Farm, Clough-fold. The first intimation, of his death was conveyed in a letter which was received at this office from a lieutenant and a corporal of his company. A week or two ago, Mr. W. Scarrow, the secretary of the Rawtenstall Comforts Committee sent out a parcel to Lce-Corpl. Beard, and on Wednesday a letter was received in the following terms:-
Dear Sir, — The parcel addressed to Lce-Corpl. Beard has been delivered to his company but it is with deep regret I have to convey the sad news that he has been killed in action. According to the usual procedure under such circumstances the contents of the parcel were divided among his pals of his section on behalf of whom I am writing this letter. —Yours faithfully, Crpl. F. Slater.

The letter also bore a post script from the lieutenant of the company as follows:- "Lce.-Corpl. Beard was no doubt the most efficient gunner we had. He was instantly killed by a large shell on July 8th, whilst at his gun. We deeply regret his loss" There seems, therefore, doubt, but that the gallant soldier has fallen at his post.
Lce.-Corpl. Beard was formerly the office at Hall Carr Mill, Rawtenstall, and enlisted in the East Lancashires on August 14th, 1914. In June of last year he was wounded in the lung and was invalided home. He was, we believe, given an opportunity of taking his discharge from the army, but he elected to return and was transferred to the machine-gun section. He went out to France again in March last.
The young fellow was most highly respected by all who knew him. He had been connected with the St James' troop of Boy Scouts, Waterfoot, and was held in high esteem.
Another brother, also a Lance Corporal, is at present in France.
Mrs. Beard has received the following letter from an officer of the 13th Company Machine Gun Corps:-"It is with profound regret and my deepest sympathy that 1 write to inform you that your son has been killed in action on July 8th. A large shell fell upon the detachment he was in charge of, knocking out several of his men I can assure you that his death, was instantaneous, so it is a relief to know that he suffered no pain. He was buried in my presence on the field of battle, close to where he fell and we have marked his grave with a cross in the hope of returning to place a fitting mark of recognition thereon. He was at all times a most keen and efficient soldier, and his loss will be most keenly felt by both officers and men of this Company.
"If there is any assistance I can give you, or advice regarding his affairs, I shall deem it a honour to his name to be of service to you.
Yours, with deepest sympathy, S. E. Odgers, 2nd Lieut.