Mrs. Dyer, of Scout Holme Terrace, Scout Bottom, has this week received a letter to the effect that her husband, Private Andrew Dyer, has been killed in France. The letter is from a serviceman in the same regiment as her husband. At the time of writng, she was anxiously waiting some offical news. Mrs. Dyer has two young children, the eldest not yet three years of age.

Mr. and Mrs F. Eatough, of Union-street, Cloughfold, have received an intimation of the death from wounds received in action, of their son, of the Lancashire Fusiliers. About a fortnight ago the parents received a telegram stating that Sergt. Eatough had been severely wounded in the body by shrapnel, and was in a dressing station in France.

Last week a telegram was received that Sergt. Eatough had unfortunately succumbed to his wounds, and this was followed by a letter from the matron in the appended terms:-

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Eatough
It is my sad duty to write you of the death of your dear son Sergt. F. Eatough. He was admitted here very severely wounded in the abdomen, and died at 3-30 p.m. 13/8/18.. From the first there was little hope of recovery. It may comfort you to know he did not suffer much pain. He had every care and attention, and everything was done for his comfort. He was unconscious some time before he died, so could leave no message. I feel for you very much in you loss, and pray God may comfort you. Your dear son was laid to rest in a British Cemetery at Crouy.

Sergt. Eatough was the eldest of nine children and enlisted voluntarily on September 5th 1914, just a month after the outbreak of war. He had been in practically continuous fighting for the greater part of the time, and had had several very narrow escapes, having been gassed on one occasion; on another buried in debris, and severely wounded in the big July push of 1916, when he was sent to England, and was an inmate of a hospital at Leeds.

He was 25 years of age and prior to joining the colours was in the employ of Nobells, Haslingden.

News has been received of the death in the field of Gunner Percy Ellis, Royal Marine Artillery, the son of Police Constable Ellis and Mrs. Ellis of 9 Ash Grove, Burnley Road, Rawtenstall.

The news has been conveyed in a letter from the officer commanding the detachment, who states that Gunner Ellis was in a barn with some other men having diner at about 12-45 p.m. on July 15th, when a large shell hit the building, penetrated the roof and burst in the air inside. He was badly wounded and though taken to the hospital very quickly, died at 3 p.m. the same day.

The captain proceeds: "I do not think he suffered very much pain as he lost consiousness very soon after he got to hospital. He was buried next day in a large military cemetery within a mile of this battery position, together with nine other men of this battery who were killed by the same shell. A large number of his friends from the battery were present. We are having a memorial erected and when it is done I will have the grave photographed and send you some copies. His lose effects me very keenly as he was always such a fine trustworthy, hardworking lad, and he had always shown himself so full of pluck in a nasty corner."

Sad news is to hand regarding the fate of Pte. Benjamin Ellison who, prior to joining the colours, resided with his mother in Parrock Street, Crawshawbooth. So far however, we learn of no official intimation having been received. Private Ellison, who was a genial and highly esteemed native of this district, was formerly employed at Sunnyside Printworks. He was a chorister at St John’s Church, and took a keen interest in everything appertaining to the church and school.