The Great War

In Memory of Catley Lane Head Resident, Tom Whipp

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Transcription

Tom Whipp, Birth year -, Death 1 Dec 1917, Number 26595, Rank Private, Unit 4th Bn. Regiment Grenadier Guards, Grave Reference Panel 2, Cemetery or Memorial Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France. [*Tom Whipp was born in 1885 and was a Guardsman in the 4 Bn Grenadier Guards.]

Rochdale Observer Saturday 29th December 1917 Roll of Honour

WHIPP – In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Tom Whipp, Grenadier Guards, killed in action on December 1st 1917, aged 32 years. From his sorrowing father, mother, brothers and sisters, also his brother William in hospital in France. 23 Smallshaw Road, Lanehead from his sorrowing brother and sister J & M A Whipp Broadley Fold. From his loving brother and sister Herbert and Miriam and children Fisherfield, Spotland From brother and sister in law Fred and Mary.

Jennifer Holt writes:

Harry Whipp, who lived at 13 Smallshaw Road, was my grandfather and Tom Whipp who died in 1917 was his brother.

My father, also Tom Whipp who was born in 1923 was actually named after his uncle who perished in World War 1. My mum and dad lived at 15 Smallshaw Road until his death in December 2014.

Another brother, William Whipp who it says was injured in France, actually I have a feeling they were serving together when he was killed. My uncle Billy (William) lost a hand and always wore a leather glove. [*William Whipp born 26-8-1895 died 1975 – He enlisted 10-11-14 as a Private in the 4 Bn Grenadier Guards and went on to be a drummer. He was discharged on 15-6-18 as wounded according to the records kept from his award of the Silver War Badge (No 416721). From his regimental number he enlisted some time before his brother Tom who was 10 years older than him but it does look like they served in the same battalion.]

There was John Whipp and family at Broadley Fold Farm, Herbert Whipp and family lived at 23 Smallshaw Road. Fred Whipp lived at the Harridge Farm down on Shawclough Road.

The information on the 1891 census, shows they all lived at Naden Head Farm, mother, father and nine children.

In Memory of Catley Lane Head Resident, Samual Wild

*Bombardier, Royal Field Artillery, Died in hospital, No 1 Canadian Sta Hosp Salonika, 07/07/1916

UK Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947

WILD, Bmdr. Samuel, 78266 28th Div. Ammunition Col. Royal Field Artillery. Died of appendicitis 6th July, 1916. Aged 35. Husband of Annie Wild of 195 Tottington Rd., Harwood, Bolton. Native of Bradshaw, nr. Bolton, Lancs. 199

Rochdale Observer Wednesday 19th July 1916 Roll of Honour

Bombardier S Wild of the Royal Field Artillery has died in hospital at Salonika. He enlised early in the war and spent some months at the front in France before he was transferred to Salonika. A very sympathetic letter was sent to Mrs Wild on June the 30th by the chaplain informing her of her husband’s grave illness, which terminated fatally a week later. Bombardier Wild was formerly employed as a dyer at Caldershaw Mill and resided at Lanehead.

Details from the 1911 Census – 19 Smallshaw Row, Catley Lane Head Samuel Wild, 28 (1883) Married, Assistant Dyer, Born Harwood Annie Wild, 33 (1878) Married 7 years (5 children 4 living 1 deceased)Born Liverpool Alice Wild, 5, Born Bolton (Mar 1906) Elizabeth Wild, 3, Born Bolton (Dec 1907) Isabella Wild, 3, Born Bolton (Dec 1907) Mary Wild, 1, Born Rochdale Esther (1911), Born Rochdale.

In Memory of Rochdale Resident – Private Robert Fletcher

The following four part chronicle details the service of Private Robert Fletcher (1881 – 1918) Army No. 45668, who served in the Lancashire Fusiliers during the Great War and died as a prisoner of war (POW) 16/04/1918 aged 36 years. Private Robert Fletcher’s grandson, Robert Fletcher and great grandson, Michael Fletcher, have compiled this research, which is reproduced here with their permission.

Chronicle Of Private Robert Fletcher – Part 1

Chronicle Of Private Robert Fletcher – Part 2

Chronicle Of Private Robert Fletcher – Part 3

Chronicle Of Private Robert Fletcher – Part 4

 

*Information provided by Mair Meek