Official news has been received of the death from wounds received in action of Pte J. W. Dearden, formerly of Lord St, Crawshawbooth. The deceased soldier, who was 33 years of age, joined up in August 1916 and went out to France in March last. The intimation which was received by his wife states that he was wounded on the afternoon of the 11th inst., and died the same evening.
Pte. Dearden at the time he joined the colours was in business at a chipped potato shop at the address given. He was however, a native of Cloughfold, and was particularly well-known there. He married the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Wright, of Church Street, Newchurch, and it is a sad circumstance that two of Mr and Mrs Wright’s daughters have now lost their husbands in the war. The other daughter to be bereaved in this way was Mrs Walter Maden, who as reported in our columns at the time, was killed about four months ago.
Pte. Dearden was attached to the Lancashire Fusiliers. His mother resides at 265 Bacup Road, Cloughfold, and as a boy he was connected with Hareholme Primative Methodist Chapel. Since his marriage he had attended Newchurch Parish Church.

Pte. Thomas Derbyshire, Royal Lancaster Regt,. 10 King-street, Waterfoot, Messrs. R Rawlinson, Myrtle Grove Mill, Bethel Baptist Church.

DERBYSHIRE - In affectionate rememberance of Pte. Thomas Derbyshire, killed in action in France, April 28th 1917.

When justice stands triumphant and opines the peace we crave,
There still shall be remembered our --- turning brave.

From his loving Wife and Children, 10 King Street, Waterfoot.

RAWTENSTALL SOLDIER KILLED

"DON'T FRET MOTHER, I SHALL COME BACK."

These were the last words spoken by Private W. H. Drake, of the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, to his mother at 14, Daisy Hill, Rawtenstall, on leaving to rejoin his regiment in France, having had a furlough after twelve months hard fighting. Pte. Drake was a Territorial in training at the time the war broke out, and was immediately sent out to France with the Expeditionary Force.

Official intimation has been received from the Record Office, Preston, that Private Drake was killed in action on October 18th. He was 26 years of age and worked for Messrs. Mitchell, Ashworth and Stansfield, Longholme Mill, prior to being called up. He was a scholar at St Mary's Church, Rawtenstall.

Mr and Mrs Driver of Cross Farm, Cloughfold, have received an official intimation that their son, Pte James Driver, of the East Lancashire Regiment, was killed in France on May(sic) 15th. The news first reached them about a fortnight ago that their son had lost his life, and the War Office communication now confirms the previous unofficial statement. Pte Driver appears to have fallen to a German sniper whilst engaged in the noble and gallant task of carrying a wounded soldier to a dressing station.
The deceased soldier was 28 years of age, and prior to the was assisted his father on the farm. He joined up in August of last year and went out to France in November.
He was associated with Sion Baptist Chapel, Cloughfold, and a memorial service is to be held in that place of worship tomorrow.

Crawshawbooth people will regret to learn of the death of Pte. James Driver, of the East Lancashire Regiment. His wife received a letter on Thursday from the sergeant saying he had been killed in action. Although a native of Cloughfold, the deceased was well-known in this neighbourhood and he had resided in the Reedsholme district for a considerable period. His wife is the daughter of Mrs Douglas of Primitive Terrace, and much sympathy is extended to her in her bereavement. The deceased soldier was 37 years of age.

James Driver of the East Lancashire Regiment was killed in action on October 13th.
The news is also confirmed in a letter received from a Rawtenstall soldier in the person of Sergeant Heap, who, in the course of his communication says that Pte. Driver was attached to the same platoon as he and was one of their best boys, as he was always willing to do a thing when called upon. He (Sergeant Heap) was speaking to the deceased soldier about half an hour before his death, which was instantaneously.
Private Driver enlisted in August 1915, and was eventually drafted to France. After a few months fighting he was invalided home with trench feet. On his recovery he was again sent to France, were he remained until the time of his death. Private Driver was 36 years of age and prior to joining the colours was employed as a foreman at Messers Hoyle and Hoyle’s slipper works.