These soldiers all were either born in Gorton or lived in Gorton and I cannot say if they were all on the original Honour Roll of St Francis ..... but I think most of them were - maybe some of them weren't even Catholic but they probably all knew each other - went to school, played kick the can, or even had their first smoke together - I like to believe they ALL belong here !
Born West Gorton
Enlisted Ashton under Lyne
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
ALLEN, FREDERICK
Private
Manchester Regiment
1st Battalion
20/12/1914
2008
Panels 34 and 35.
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
He was serving in India at the outbreak of hostilities and in the following November landed in France, where he fought in the battle of LA BASSEE. After only one month's service on the Western Front, he was unhappily killed in action at GIVENCHY on December 22nd 1914(?)
He was entitled to the 1914 Star, the General Service and Victory medals.
"A costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom"
85 Norton St. West Gorton
(As an aside - I believe this is the same man - Fredericks details were submitted to the National Roll, 6 years after his death, so its easy for his family to be a couple of days out with his date of death, Frederick may have originally been in the 2nd battalion and switched to the 1st, but his family were unaware he'd done so. He's the only F.Allen who died with the Manchesters in 1914, his date and place of death, means he can only have been a regular soldier. He was born on the 18th June 1893 at 55 Thomas Street, West Gorton according to his birth certificate, so I'd say he was a Gorton lad born and bred
He and his brother, L/Cpl 9381 Harry Allen, were both regulars before the war.
Harry was gassed at 2nd Ypres with the Lancashire Fusiliers, he was no longer fit to serve, and discharged in February 1917.)
They both lived at 85 Norton St, West Gorton.
Born West Gorton
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action Mesopotamia
BAILEY, JOSEPH
Serjeant
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
6th Bn.
09/04/1916
11929
Panel 7.
BASRA MEMORIAL
Volunteering at the outbreak of war in August 1914, he completed a period of training and was drafted to MESOPOTAMIA in April of the following year. There he took a distinguished part in many engagements, including those at KUT-EL-AMARA and SANNA I YAT and was killed in action on April 9th 1916.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
"A costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom"
11 Dorset St. West Gorton Born West Gorton
Enlisted Manchester
Died Died of Wounds Egypt
BEDDOWS LEONARD
Private
Manchester Regiment
1st/8th Bn.
17/11/1915
3670
D. VII. 6.
PIETA MILITARY CEMETERY
He volunteered in January 1915 and shortly afterwards proceeded to EGYPT where he saw active service. He was later transferred to the DARDENELLES and was badly wounded October 8th 1915 during heavy fighting on the GALLIPOLI PENINSULA. He was invalided to MALTA, but unhappily died of his wounds on November 17th 1915.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
"His memory is cherished with pride"
10 William St., West Gorton
Pieta Military Cemetery is situated in Our Lady of Sorrows Street, (Triq Id Duluri) Pieta Malta Born West Gorton
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
BESWICK, JOHN PATRICK
Private
Manchester Regiment
1st Bn.
21/12/1914
1486
Panels 34 and 35.
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Son of Thomas and Mary Beswick, of 44, Victoria St., Longsight, Manchester.
Prior to the war he had served for five years and in October 1914 he proceeded to France. A few weeks later he was unfortunately killed in action at GIVENCHY on December 21st 1914.
He was entitled to the 1914 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"His life for his country, his soul to God"
37 Lawrence St., West Gorton
Born Northwich
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
BOSWELL, EDWARD
Private
Cheshire Regiment
"C" Coy. 1st Bn.
27/09/1918
40315
Panel 16.
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Son of Edward and Celina Boswell, of I, Park St., West Gorton
He joined in March 1916 and seven months later, he was drafted to the Western Front. There he was in action in the battles of the SOMME, ANCRE, ARRAS, BULLCOURT,YPRES, CAMBRAI and the AISNE, and died gloriously on the field at the battle of HAVRINCOURT in September 1918.
He was entitled to the 1914 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"Great deeds cannot die"
1 Park St., West Gorton Born Gorton
Enlisted Chester
Died Died of Wounds France and Flanders
BROOKES RALPH
Serjeant
Cheshire Regiment
1st Bn.
21/08/1918
10527
XVIII. E. 8.
BIENVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY
Husband of F. Brookes, of 29, Gardner St., West Gorton
When war was declared he was mobilised and proceeded with the First Expeditionary Force to France. There he fought with distinction in the battles of MONS, YPRES and the SOMME. In 1917 he was transferred to the Italian Front, but after a years service there, returned to France and fell fighting on August 21st 1918. He was Mentioned in Dispatches for Conspicuous Gallantry in the field and was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre.
He was also entitled to the Mons Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"Great deeds cannot die: they with the sun and moon renew their light forever"
15 Ross St., West Gorton
Born West Gorton
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
CAIN, MARTIN
Private
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
19th Coy.
26/03/1918
21025
Bay 10.
ARRAS MEMORIAL
He volunteered in November 1914 and after a period of training was drafted to GALLIPOLI, where he took part in the landing at SUVIA BAY and other engagements until the evacuation of the Peninsula. Later he was sent to the Western Front and saw much heavy fighting at the battles of ALBERT, the SOMME (1), BEAUMONT-HAMEL and CAMBRAI and was wounded - on his recovery he again went into action, but after a few months was unfortunately killed in action on the SOMME (11) in March 1918
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"His life for his country, his soul to God"
3 Truro St., West Gorton
Born Openshaw
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
CALVERT, HENRY
Corporal
The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
8th Bn.
04/08/1917
3426
Enclosure No.4 VIII. AA. 26.
BEDFORD HOUSE CEMETERY
Son of Reuben and Annie Calvert, of Openshaw, Manchester - husband of Catherine Tiffney, (formerly Calvert, nee Logan), of 164, Thomas St., West Gorton,
He volunteered in August 1914 and was drafted overseas in the following year. Whilst on the Western Front he took part in many important engagements, including the battles of LOOS, ALBERT, the SOMME, BULLECOURT and ARRAS. He made the supreme sacrifice being killed in action at YPRES on August 4th 1917.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"Whilst we remember, the sacrifice is not in vain"
13 Jane St., West Gorton
Born Droylsden
Enlisted London
Died Died of Wounds France and Flanders
CLARK JOHN
Pioneer
Royal Engineers
75th Field Coy.
04/07/1917
122931
II. E. 59.
MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY
Son of John and Ruth Clark, of Droylsden, Manchester; husband of Amelia Clark, of 7, Pollitt Place, West Gorton
Volunteering in November 1915 - he was drafted to the Western Front in the following months and took part in severe fighting at YPRES, LOOS, HOOGE, ARRAS and many other places. He made the supreme sacrifice, falling in action in July 1916 (?) during the advance on the SOMME.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"The path of duty was the way to glory"
7 Pollitt St., West Gorton Born Manchester
Enlisted Manchester
Died Died of Wounds Mesopotamia
CLORLEY, DAVID
Private
The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
3rd Bn.
01/01/1916
2999
Q. 393 (Screen Wall).
MANCHESTER SOUTHERN CEMETERY
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Clorley, of 3, Thompson St., West Gorton
Two months after volunteering in September 1915, he proceeded to France, where he saw severe fighting in various sectors of the Front and took part in engagements at ST ELOI, LOOS and VERMELLES. He fell in action at VIMY RIDGE in October 1916 (?) during the SOMME offensive.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
"His life for his country, his soul to God"
3 Thompson St., West Gorton Born Blackley
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
COOKE, EDWIN
Private
Manchester Regiment
"C" Coy. 2nd Bn.
01/10/1918
2634
B. 20.
JONCOURT EAST BRITISH CEMETERY
Husband of Beatrice Cooke, of 16, Dawson St., Gorton Lane, West Gorton
He volunteered in August 1914 and on completion of his training in the following January was drafted to France. There he took part in the battles of NEUVE CHAPELLE, ST. ELOI, HILL 60, YPRES, LOOS, BULLECOURT, PASCHENDALE AND CAMBRAI and was twice wounded in action. He was unfortunately killed at ST.QUENTIN in October 1918.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
"He died the noblest death a man may die, fighting for God and might and liberty"
16 Dawson St., West Gorton Born Manchester
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
COOMBES, JAMES
Sapper
Royal Engineers
12th Light Railway Operating Coy.
24/07/1918
WR/278145
II. E. 5.
HAGLE DUMP CEMETERY
Son of Frederick John and Hannah Coombes, of 8, Buxton St., Birch St., Hyde Rd., West Gorton
He joined in July 1917 and in February of the following year proceeded to the Western Front, where he served on the railways conveying ammunition to the forward areas at the SOMME, YPRES, CAMBRAI and various other sectors. He unhappily fell in action at YPRES on July 24th 1918.
He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals.
"And doubtless he went in splendid company"
8 Buxton St., West Gorton
Born Manchester
Enlisted Kings Norton
Died Died France and Flanders
COONEY JOSEPH
Private
Royal Warwickshire Regiment
15th Bn.
27/06/1918
35967
III. F. 4.
AIRE COMMUNAL CEMETERY
He joined in July 1916 and underwent a period of training prior to his being drafted to the Western Front, where he took part in the Retreat and Advance of 1918. He made the supreme sacrifice being killed in action at HAVRINCOURT WOOD in September 1918 (?)
He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals.
"Honour to the immortal dead, who gave their youth that the world might grow old in peace"
10 Haigh St., West Gorton
Born Rochdale
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
COONEY WILLIAM
Private
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) ( Formerly 23/26319 Lancashire Fusiliers )
1st Bn.
17/04/1917
32878
I. A. 26.
LEVEL CROSSING CEMETERY, FAMPOUX
Volunteering in November 1915, he was drafted to France in the following year. In this theatre of war he took part in several engagements, but unfortunately was killed in action at VIMY RIDGE in April 1917
He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals.
"The path of duty was the way to glory"
10 Haigh St., West Gorton
Born Bradford
Enlisted Ardwick
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
COPPIN, SAMUEL
Private
Lancashire Fusiliers
2nd/5th Bn.
26/04/1918
205366
Panel 45 and 46.
LOOS MEMORIAL
He joined in June 1917 and six months later was sent on active service. Whilst on the Western Front he played a prominent part in the battle of the SOMME, but was unfortunately killed in action in the LYS sector in April 1918
He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals
"Nobly striving: He nobly fell that we might live"
20 Thomas St., West Gorton
Born
Enlisted
Died
CUMMINS, JOSEPH
Private
Manchester Regiment
3rd Bn.
20/12/1918
1515
H. R.C. 22 (Screen Wall).
MANCHESTER (PHILIPS PARK) CEMETERY
Son of James and Mary Ann Cummins, of 10, Laurence St., Gorton,
Mobilised at the outbreak of war in August 1914, he proceeded to France with the First Expeditionary Force, and took part in much severe fighting before being seriously wounded in the spine at the battle of NEUVE CHAPELLE. He was invalided from the army in October 1915 and after a lingering illness unfortunately died from the effects of his wounds on December 20th 1918.
He was entitled to the 1914 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"A costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom"
10 Lawrence St., Gorton
Born Gorton
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
DARBY, JOSEPH
Private
East Lancashire Regiment
8th Bn.
25/01/1916
7486
Pier and Face 6 C.
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Volunteering in October 1914, he was quickly drafted to the Western Front, and played a prominent part in the battles of NEUVE CHAPELLE, ST ELOI (where he was wounded in March 1915) and LOOS. He laid down his life for King and Country at HILL 60 in January 1916.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"Honour to the immortal dead, who gave their youth that the world might grow old in peace"
6 Grantham St., West Gorton
Born Congleton
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
DAVIES, JAMES
Private
Lancashire Fusiliers
11th Bn.
29/09/1916
7240
Pier and Face 3 C and 3 D.
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Mobilised in August 1914, he was soon drafted to the Western Front and played an important part in the battles of YPRES, ST ELOI, LOOS, ALBERT, PLOEGSTEERT WOOD, VIMY RIDGE and the SOMME. He laid down his life for King and Country at LA BASSEE at the end of 1916.
He was entitled to the 1914 Star and the General Service and Victory medals
"The path of duty was the way to glory"
24 Hinde St., Gorton
Born Cheltenham
Enlisted Manchester
Died Died of Wounds Salonika
DEAN FRANCIS
Private
East Lancashire Regiment
9th Bn.
19/09/1918
9/14032
E. 1078.
KARASOULI MILITARY CEMETERY
Son of John and Mary Dean, of Gorton, Manchester; husband of Leah Dean, of 8, Shawbridge St., West Gorton, Manchester.
Volunteering in September 1914, he was sent to the Western Front in April 1915, but only served there fourteen months. He was then sent to SALONIKA and after serving with distinction the DOIRAN and VARDAR fronts, was killed in action on September 19th 1918 during the second battle of VARDAR.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
"Thinking that remembrance, though unspoken, may reach him where he sleeps"
8 Shrewbridge St., West Gorton
Born Salford
Enlisted Salford
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
DIXON, WILLIAM
Private
Lancashire Fusiliers
15th Bn.
22/10/1917
26180
Panel 54 to 60 and 163A.
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Joining in January 1916, he was sent, fourteen months later,to the Western Front. In this theatre of war, he experienced fierce fighting in engagements at BULLECOURT, YPRES and PASCHENDALE, but was unfortunately killed in action at CAMBRAI in October 1917.
He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals
"He passed out of the sight of men, by the path of duty and self sacrifice"
38 Milton St., West Gorton
Born Kendal
Enlisted Kendal
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
DOHERTY THOMAS
Private
Border Regiment
"C" Coy. 2nd Bn.
01/12/1914
8012
V. C. 5.
ZANTVOORDE BRITISH CEMETERY
Husband of Maggie Cavanagh (formerly Doherty), of 107, Norton St., Clowes St., West Gorton
Called up from the Reserves at the outbreak of war in August 1914, he at once proceeded to France, where he participated in the battle of MONS and the subsequent retreat. After taking a prominent part in further fighting, he fell gloriously on the field of battle at YPRES on December 1st 1914.
He was entitled to the Mons Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
"His life for his Country"
107 Norton St., West Gorton Born Gorton
Enlisted Manchester
Died Died of Wounds France and Flanders
DOOLEY MARTIN
Private
Manchester Regiment
11th Bn.
18/08/1917
7843
II. F. 24.
BRANDHOEK NEW MILITARY CEMETERY No.3
Volunteering in September 1914, he was drafted a year later to SALONIKA where he took part in strenuous fighting at MONASTIR and on the DOIRAN and STRUMA fronts. In May 1917 he was transferred to France and after participating in further action at BULLECOURT was unfortunately killed at YPRES on August 18th 1917.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star and the General Service and Victory medals.
"A costly sacrifice on the altar of freedom"
4 Hardy St., West Gorton
Born Denton
Enlisted Hyde
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
DUTTON, FRANK
Private
Welsh Regiment
18th Bn.
4/03/1918
28195
Bay 6.
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Volunteering in March 1915, he was drafted to the Western Front twelve months later and after taking part in the battles of VERMELLES, the SOMME (1), ARRAS, VIMY RIDGE, MESSINES, LENS and CAMBRAI, was unfortunately killed in action at the 2nd battle of the SOMME in March 1918.
"He died the noblest death a man may die: Fighting for God and right and liberty"
28 School St., West Gorton
Born Manchester
Enlisted Manchester
Died Killed in Action France and Flanders
ELLIS RICHARD A
Gunner
Royal Garrison Artillery
120th Siege Bty.
12/08/1917
57372
II. D. 3.
THE HUTS CEMETERY
Volunteering in October 1915, he proceeded to France in May of the following year, and whilst on the Western Front fought in engagements on the SOMME and at BEAUCOURT, BULLECOURT and MESSINES. He died gloriously on the field of battle at YPRES on August 11th 1917.
He was entitled to the General Service and Victory medals.
"His life for his Country, his soul to God"
38 Henry St., West Gorton
Please check the Photo Gallery .... there may be a photograph of your soldier or his headstone there !