Official intimation has been receded of the death in the 26th General Hospital in France ot Pte. James Pilkington, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Pilkington, of Gutter House, Booth, Waterfoot. The young fellow died from enteric fever on March 30th.
Pte. Pilkington enlisted in the R.A.M.C. in January, 1915, when he was only 18 years of age. He was sent out to France the following June and his work in the hospital is highly spoken of by those who were his superiors. He has undoubtedly sacrificed his life in the welfare of others for on Wednesday of last week he was found to have contracted enteric fever and himself had to be admitted to the hospital as a patient.
In a very kindly letter which the matron of the hospital has sent to Mr. and Mrs. Pilkington, she says their son became worse on Thursday and was unconscious all day. "He collapsed suddenly in the evening and died in a few minutes. He was a good patient and I am sure he was a good son to you."
Several other letters paying tribute to the late Pte. Pilkington's qualities have also been received, including one from the Sister in the hospital and another from a comrade. The latter in his letter of condolence to the parents says "He gave everything for the sake of others, and is one more added to the great army who have given their all in the service of others. His end came so sudden and the blow was so great that we have not yet recovered and will not for some time to come. Being of such an amiable disposition he was well liked by all who knew him."
Prior to enlisting Pte. Pilkington was employed in the re-lasting room at Sir Henry Trickett's Gaghills Mill, and was very popular. Mr. Oliver Eatough writing to the father and mother says: "Though you may never see him on earth again you have the satisfaction of knowing that he laid down his life for others. Greater love hath no man than this. On behalf of my colleagues and myself I offer you the sympathy of my directors and firm."
The late Pte. Pilkington, prior to joining the Army was actively associated' with Tunstead Sunday School and Mission Room, and was also a playing member of the Stackteads Prize Band. His father Mr. James Pilkington, was the leader of the famous "Tunstead Mill Nutters "and on one of two occasions Private Pilkington had been a member of the band which accompanied them on their Easter round. He was a popular member of the Waterfoot Liberal Club, and is thus is the second to fall of those whose names are in inscribed on the Roll of Honour at that institution. The flap has been raised to half-mast in respect to his memory. Altogether he was a very amiable and promising young follow and much sympathy will go out to the parents and the members of the family in their loss.

His many friends in the district will regret to hear of the death of Pte. Wellington Pilkington, of 1 Mill Row Rawtenstall. His wife, Mrs. Pilkington, has received an official intimation from the War Office that he met his death on December 27th, he being then in the Balkans. Mrs. Pilkington has also received the following sympathetic letter from the N.C.O.'s and men of the platoon to which the deceased soldier was attached in the East Lancashire Regiment:-

Saturday December 30, 1916
Dear Mrs. Pilkington - No doubt by now you will have received the sad information of the death of your beloved husband and the men of his platoon (N0. 16) wish to convey to you their sympathies in your bereavement. To say that he will be sadly missed by his chums is only a small idea of the respect in which he was held, not only by his platoon, but by the company. For two years we have had his sunny nature amongst us, and in both rough and smooth times his cheery smile was always looked for, and he never failed. We can thoroughly understand that you have lost a good husband an father in his decease, for he was always a good soldier. If it is any satisfaction to you, we may say that his death was practically instantaneous, and he died as a soldier and a man facing his foe with a smile on his face as if he had done his work well. He was buried yesterday with full military honours, amongst the grandeur of the hills, and though far away from his native land and family, we know that his memory will be cherished none the less, for he was indeed a brave man. his grave has been made as lovely as only you could wish for, and we are endeavoring to have a photo of it taken and forwarded to you as early as possible. Trusting God will comfort you on this sad occasion. P.S. - No doubt you will be glad of the enclosed cards and photos which were found in his possessions.

The late Pte. W. Pilkington enlisted in October 1914 - two months after the outbreak of war - and had his last leave in August of the following year. He went to France for a short period, and was then drafted to Salonica, and for 16 months has been in the thick of the campaign in the Balkan hills. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a weaver at Ewood Bridge Mill, and was a respected member of the Rawtenstall Weavers' Association. He was 30 years of age in August last. A memorial service is to be held on Sunday at Ewood Bridge School, where the deceased formerly attended.

Mr. and Mrs. T. Pilling, of Barley Holme, Crawshawbooth, has also received notification that their son, Private Herbert Pilling, of the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, is reported as "missing" from the 18th October. I trust better news may yet come to hand.

We regret to announce the death as the result of an accident in France of Sergeant James Pinnington, of 112 Burnley Road, Rawtenstall, and the son Mr. R. T. Pinnington, the well known stationer and printer, of Bank Street, Rawtenstall.

The first news of the accident was conveyed to Mrs. James Pinnington, in a telegram from London which ran as follows:- "Regret to inform that O.C. Clearing Station in France telegraphs July 31st, that Sergt. J. Pinnington R.E. dangerously ill, accident injuries. Regret permission to visit cannot be granted.

Unfortunately the telegram was quickly followed by a letter direct from France, written by Captain James Johnson, the Rawtenstall Borough Surveyor, containing the sad intelligence that Sergt. Pinnington passed away about half an hour after being admitted to hospital.

Captain Johnson's letter was in the following terms:-
Dear Mrs. Pinnington:- "It is my painful duty to inform you that your husband was severely injured this afternoon by being knocked down by a motor lorry on the road where he and his party were working. The accident was reported to me and I went down to the hospital to which he was taken immediately after the accident.
On enquiring which ward he was in I was terribly shocked on being informed that he died about half an hour after being admitted. I also saw the matron and sister who were with him when he died, and they told me that though he was conscious when admitted he was too ill to speak much. The matron also told me that she had written to you so it is possible that will receive her letter before mine. I have arranged for the funeral to-morrow at 5 o'clock and I shall attend and take with me some of his fellow N.C.O's, and a party of his men. I can only say that I feel that I have sustained a great loss and a thoroughly reliable and loyal N.C.O. and that my officers, N.C.O's, and men join me in the hope that strength will be given you to bear the irreparable loss you have sustained.
Yours sincerely
JAMES JOHNSON, Capt. R.E.
O.C. 341 R.C. Coy., R.E.

Since then a further letter has been received by Mrs. Pinnington from Captain Johnson stating that "at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon the remains of your dear husband were laid to rest in the cemetery at ------------ The funeral was attended by Lieut. Pooley and 40 N.C.O's and men as well as myself. The ceremony was carried out in a most reverent manner, and he was carried to his grave by his fellow N.C.O's"

The late Sergt. Pinnington was particularly well-known and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends in the Rawtenstall district. As a young man he served articles with Mr. Fred Hobson, as an architect and surveyor, and later was with Mr. Fielding. On retirement, however, of his father, Mr. James Pinnington took over the printing business and conducted it up to April of last year, when he joined the colours.

Captain Johnson, who was the O.C. of a Road Construction Company in the Royal Engineers, having knowledge of Mr. Pinnington's former association with Surveyor's work, secured him as a N.C.O. for his company, and after a month's training in England Mr. Pinnington went out to France to join Capt. Johnson's company as a sergeant. As will be seen from Capt. Johnson's letter above, Sergt. Pinnington has proved a most loyal non-commissioned officer, and his death is regretted by his comrades just as it is by his friends at home.

The late Sergt. Pinnington was connected with the Rawtenstall Unitarian Church and a memorial service is to be held in that place of worship to-morrow evening week, August 18th.

No information available

Mr. and Mrs. Place of 3 Nuttalls Road, Dobbin Lane, Cloughfold, have received official intimation that their son, Private Willie Place, of the Royal Warwicks, was killed in action in France.

He was 21 years of age, joined the forces in 1916, and had been in France over twelve months. Prior to enlisting he was employed as a weaver at the Newchurch Spinning and Manufacturing Company, Cloughfold. He was an earnest worker at Lors Street P. M. school and church and was a member of the choir there.