Lance-Corpl James Heys, another young Rawtenstall soldier, has fallen in the great offensive. Lance-Corporal Heys was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Keys, of Hope Street, Cloughfold, and enlisted so recently as February of the present year. He joined the 12th East Lancashire and after completing his training was drafted to France and transferred into the 11th East Lancashire.
He was wounded in action on July 2nd and information has now been received that he died in hospital two days later.
Lance Corporal Heys, was only 23 years of age in December. He formerly worked as a weaver at the Newchurch Company, but at the time of his enlistment he was following the same occupation at Newhallhey Mill. In May last whilst over on furlough he was married to Miss Hoyle, of Fern Hill Terrace, Crawshawbooth. Almost immediately after his return to camp he was drafted to France He had shown ability as a soldier and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal after going out from England.

Mr. Richard Heys, of 24 Hope Street, Cloughfold, has been officially informed of the death from wounds received in action of his son, Pte Joshua Heys, of the King's Liverpool Regiment. Pte. Heys was 38 years of age, and joined the army in January 1917, being drafted out to France about twelve months ago.

In civil life he was a cotton weaver at Messrs. Longworth and Sons, Ltd., Clowes Mill, and was very well known and popular in the district.

Official intimation was received on Sunday of the death of Private Robert Heys, of Fallbarn. Bacup-road, Rawtenstall, who was killed in action in France, on October 12th. He was 27 years of age, and joined the 17th Manchester Regiment on March 17th of this year, being drafted out to France in July.
He was of a quiet and unassuming disposition, and prior to enlisting attended Longholme Wesleyan Chapel. He was very popular amongst his many friends, and greatly esteemed by all who knew him. He had followed the occupation of a grocer's assistant, and was employed by Mr. Peter's, Queen's Square, Rawtenstall.

Mrs. Hill, 12, Bury Road, Rawtenstall, has received official information that her son. Private John Hill, of the Manchester "Pals" who was wounded on May 8th has since died.
Private Hill was the third son of Mrs. Hill, and the late Mr. Charles Hill, confectioner, Rawtenstall, and formerly of Lloyd Hotel, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and was employed by Messrs W. H. Broadhead and Son at their photo department in Oxford Road, Manchester. It will be remembered: that Private Hill was wounded in the arm and both legs by a shell and as a result of his injuries both legs had to be amputated. He was twenty-one years of age and joined the 20th Service Battalion of the Manchester Regiment in November 1914, being drafted to France a year Mater. He was a member of St. Clement's church choir, when resident in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
The following is an extract from a letter re-after her son had been wounded:- I take this opportunity of expressing (on behalf of his section and myself, his section commander), our sincere sympathy for the unfortunate occurrence, and our good washes for his speedy recovery. Jack and myself have been friends from Belle Vue onwards and I can honestly say, the regiment has for the time being, been deprived of the services of one of her best men.
On Wednesday Mrs. Hill received the following communication from Private Sam Wallace, a chum of the late Private Hill, who is now in the Harpurhey Military Hospital:- "I wish to express my very deepest sympathy with you in the great loss you have sustained by the death of your son Jack. I was working with Jack when he was hit, aind was myself wounded in the arm at the same time.... He was my dearest pal, we shared all our little joys and troubles and whenever possible worked together in the trenches. It may be some comfort to you to know that he was very highly respected for his manly qualities, for the smiling face he always showed under the most trying conditions, and for the wonderful coolness he displayed in times of the greatest danger. I have lost a friend whose equal I am not likely to find for many a long day."

News has been received of the death in action of Pte Hitchen, son of Mr. Abraham Hitchen, of 302 Bacup-road, Cloughfold. The deceased who was 28 years of age, had only been back in the firing line in France about a fortnight.

No information available