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John James Ashworth

John James Ashworth, the oldest child of St James the Less parishioners John Ormerod and Mary Ashworth, was born at the family home in Double Street, Rawtenstall on 29th July 1891. John Ormerod was a Rawtenstall man, born and bred, but Mary, like many parishioners at that time, had settled in the area from County [...]

By |2020-09-14T13:31:12+01:00April 5th, 1916|East Lancashire Regiment, Soldiers Stories|0 Comments

Thomas William O’Brien

Thomas William O’Brien, uncle of Tom Smith, currently St James the Less church’s oldest parishioner and himself a veteran of the Second World War, was the second child of Thomas William and Sarah O’Brien. Born on 27th March 1890 and baptised little more than a week later, on 6th April, at St James the Less, [...]

By |2020-09-14T13:31:12+01:00September 20th, 1915|Border Regiment, Soldiers Stories|1 Comment

How did the soldiers keep in touch with their families and friends at home?

Unlike today, when we have smartphones and a host of other electronic devices to make immediate contact with people anywhere in the world, the only method soldiers had of contacting home was by letter. Home sickness was a huge problem so the soldiers were given postcards and writing paper which could be sent home for [...]

By |2016-07-06T12:03:13+01:00March 16th, 1915|Life at Home, Life in the Trenches|0 Comments

What means of communication did the army use in the trenches?

In any war reliable and accurate communication is essential. Battles are often won or lost on the ability to communicate information on enemy positions and movement, as well as instructions. The battlefields of the First World War were so big, widespread and difficult, that all sorts of methods of communication were used. Wireless communication (radio) [...]

By |2016-06-16T10:41:21+01:00June 16th, 1914|Life at Home, Life in the Trenches|0 Comments
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