Re: World War 1
 

The answer to the question in the poem, how many lads from Accrington.
5520 men from Accrington took the Kings Shilling during WW1. Over 500 of them served in the 11th Battalion East Lancs, but not all could be called Pals, after July 1st 1916 the pals ceased to exist.

Retlaw.

Re: World War 1
 

hi Retlow....do you have anything on "Richard Heaton Holgate"? I would be gratefull... think his father was a Cavelryman, but i need to check with my dad will keep you informed

Re: World War 1
 

There is no one in my files called Richard Heaton HOLGATE.
Question where did he live, the files only cover Greater Accrington.

Retlaw.

Re: World War 1
 

Hi - you can download some or all of Richard's army service record from the Ancestry website. I'm also sending a pm to you.

Andrew

Re: World War 1
 

Retlaw, I wonder if you have any info on my grandad Fred todd . He was in the Guards machine gun regiment. His service no was 6797
Thanks, Mark

Re: World War 1
 

Fred Todd.
Pte. 6797. Guards M.G.C.
19 Rutland St, Accrington.
Former Accrington Borough Police Constable.

Not found anything in the papers out him yet,
or any pictures of him.
I do remember a Todd on Accy Police force, the one I knew was an Inspector, don't know if its the same man or not.

You had to be 6ft or more to get on Accy police, quite a number of them served in WW1.
A few of them were reservists and were called up in August 1914. The other one I knew was Joe Firth, he was in the Grenadier Guards.

Retlaw.

Re: World War 1
 

My Father - Joseph Yates was too young for the Accrington Pals, but he was woumded at the seconf Battle of The Somme and was sent to Weston Super Mare for recuperation - I did my RAF Trade training there some 40 years later.
I am sure I have a photograph of him in uniform, so will search this weekend and try and find it and forward a copy to you.

Re: World War 1
 

I've got three Joseph Yates where did he live Ossy or Clayton.

Retlaw.

Re: World War 1
 

Retlaw, the inspector was Nathan Todd, who was Freds brother.
Thanks for the info
Mark

Re: World War 1
 

Thats the one, Nat Todd, could'nt remember his first name, I used to call him Herman Goering, especially when he was being driven round in the back of the open police car, he were big, and looked even bigger in his uniform wi all the gold braid and scrambled egg on it.

Retlaw.

Re: World War 1
 

Certain he came from Ossy as I believe he was christened at Emmanuel Church - he was born in September (?) 1899

Re: World War 1
 

He must be this one then.

Joseph YATES
Private 310918. 25th Squad Army Service Corps.
lived at 17 Hornby St, Oswaldtwistle.

from the size of his number he was probably in the late 1917 batch. Not found any more about him yet, when I do I'll let you know.

Retlaw.

Re: World War 1
 

Thanks Retlaw.
He suffered grenade shrapnel wounds to his right hand and went to the rehab hos[ital in Weston - super - Mare. The place was still functioning as a hospital in 1962 when he came to visit us in Weston.
He went on to become a foreman at H & B in the Ring Room and subsequently became the supervisor in the Toolroom there, followed chap called Crawshaw I think.
Thatnk you for your efforts on my behalf.

Re: World War 1
 

I was born at 17 Hornby St and lived there for 18 yrs (1942 - 1961)
My parents bought that house early in their marriage in mid '30s I think, and lived there until my dad retired.
Small world isn't it?:D

Re: World War 1
 

Hi Barrie.
I've probably met him and didn't know it, I worked at Bulloughs in the Pattern Shop during the 1950's, the Tool Room did quite a bit of work for the Pattern Shop, when we had a large run on a product we had to make things in double & triple contraction, and then go to the Tool Room, and check the patterns which were mounted on plates against the original specs.

Retlaw.