3002 Private Harold Hector Dowthwaite, 5th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Killed on 22nd August 1915, aged 19. Son of James and Margaret Dowthwaite, of Thurtell Cottages, Caton.
News was received on Friday that Pte. Harold Hector Dowthwaite, 5th King's Own, was killed on the 22nd ult. He was 19 years of age, and a son of Mr. J. Dowthwaite, Caton. He is the fourth from Caton to lose his life at the front. Enlisting at the commencement of the war, he sailed for France on the 10th May. Pte. J. Gardner, who has been on furlough from the front, was in conversation with C. Williams and Dowthwaite only a quarter of an hour before the latter fell to a sniper, the shot entering his cheek and coming out at the base of his skull.
Q.M.-Sergt. H. Gill, C Coy., 5th King's Own, writing to Mr. Dowthwaite, states: - "I regret to inform you that your son, Harold, has been killed in the trenches yesterday (Sunday), the 22nd, whilst on duty. I am enclosing some photographs, which were on him when he was killed. He is buried in our Brigade cemetery, and I will see that a cross is erected over his grave. You will perhaps be glad to know that he was killed outright, and that he suffered no pain. His loss will be felt by all the boys, our deepest sympathy at your loss."
Lance-Corpl. T. Fairclough writes: - "I am very sorry indeed to have to deliver such sad news as these to you. Your son Hector was killed by a German sniper on Sunday, 22nd of this month, at 5.5 p.m. He was brought down to a soldier's cemetery in Kemmel, and had a very nice, quiet burial. He is with three or four of our chaps in the same cemetery. I was at his burial. I asked permission, and him being from the same place as me, I was allowed to be there. You don't know how sorry I was when the news was given to me of his death, as only a day or two before I was talking to him. I will try to get you a postcard of the place where he is buried, or somewhere near. The number of his grave is 475, and there is a nice cross with his name and regiment on it. I am informed that people think we are at rest, but as long as there is a 5th King's Own R.L.R. we shall always be in it as long as the war lasts. If we were at rest such things would not happen as have happened to your son, and other fellows belonging to our Battalion. To give an exact explanation of the place where he is buried is practically impossible in a letter, but if you have a map of the fighting area, and I have the luck to come home on leave, or even after the war, I will point out the exact place to you."
Reference to Pte. Dowthwaite's death was made at the Parish Church, Caton, on Sunday, and the "Dead March" was played at the conclusion of the morning service. A memorial service was held on Sunday evening at the Congregational Chapel, which Pte. Dowthwaite attended. The hymns: "When our heads are bowed with woe," "Brief life is here our portion," "A few more years shall roll," and "Abide with me," were sung, and the preacher (Mr. Wright) paid tribute to the character of the deceased soldier. The "Dead March" was played by the Organist. Wreaths were placed on the table from the Members of the Chapel, the Sunday School Scholars, and his absent friends, Billy, John, and Jimmy. The last has been forwarded to France.
(Lancaster Guardian, 4 September 1915)The following letter has been received from Sergt. Ellison, of O Platoon, 5th King's Own, respecting Pte. H. H. Dowthwaite (of Caton), whose death was referred to last week: - "I have this day received a parcel addressed to your brother, who, you are no doubt aware, was killed on Sunday last. I have distributed the contents amongst his section, hoping this will meet with your approval. I cannot explain to you how sorry I am for your sad bereavement. You have lost a brother any man would have been proud of, and I can honestly say all the time I have been out here (seven months) I have never met a more trustworthy and straightforward lad I had in my platoon, and no one will miss him more than me. He didn't know the meaning of fear. He was shot by a German sniper. The bullet (an explosive one) entered his cheek and came out in three places at the back of his neck, which was dislocated. He died instantly. I collected his belongings and handed them over to our officer, Capt. Briggs. His parents no doubt receive them in due time. He was buried the same night in the Military Cemetery at Keminel, about two miles away. He lies amongst about six hundred of our brave fellows who have passed away., and when my times comes I shall ask for no better death. He died doing his duty, face to face with a cowardly and ......palous enemy."
(Lancaster Guardian, 11 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
MUSIC FOR THE FRONT. - Some time a desire for a melodeon was expressed by a soldier writing from the front, and Mr. J. Garnett began to raise the necessary funds. Unexpected difficulty arose in getting a suitable instrument, as the supply had run out, but 13 mouth organs, a melodeon, and two tins of cigarettes were despatched on Monday, per Pte. J. Gardner, who was returning to the front after his short furlough. The accounts have been checked by the Vicar, and show a total expense of 36s.
(Lancaster Guardian, 4 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
Lieutenant James Atkinson Jowett, 11th, attached 6th, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Died 16th September 1916, aged 23. Son of F. Atkinson Jowett, of "Rostholme", Drighlington, Bradford, and the late Nathan Atkinson Jowett.
News has been received from the War Office that Lieut. J. Atkinson Jowett (Caton), 6th Yorkshire Light Infantry, was seriously wounded on Sept. 1st. He was standing in the trenches in conversation with two sergeants when a bomb fell in the trench and exploded, seriously injuring all three. In a letter to his mother, Lieut. Atkinson Jowett makes light of his injury, but says that shrapnel was extracted, and he was removed to No. 14 Hospital, Boulogne, and on Saturday last to Osborne House, Isle of Wight. After leaving Giggleswick Grammar School, where he was a member of the O.T.C., Lieut. Atkinson Jowett had spent two years at Lincoln College, Oxford, when the war broke out. He joined the Inns of Court O.T.C., until gazetted with the 11th Yorkshire Light Infantry, and afterwards transferred to the 6th Battalion for active service. He left for France on August 16th, and had only been in the trenches a week before he was wounded.
(Lancaster Guardian, 11 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
THANKS FOR MOUTH-ORGANS. - Mr. J. Garnett has received an acknowledgment of the parcel taken by Pte. J. Gardner when he returned to the front. C. H. Williams writes: - "Just a few lines on behalf of my pals and myself to thank you for the cigarettes, mouth-organs, and melodeon you so kindly sent by Pte. J. Gardner. I can assure you that we all appreciate your kindness very much. It proves that though we are far away, trying to do a little for our country, we are not forgotten by our friends at home. Nearly all the mouth-organs are at present in the trenches, having their baptisms of fire. We have not brought the melodeon to have its baptism because we could not carry it this time up. All the Caton boys in our battalion are in the same trenches, so you see the village is well represented."
(Lancaster Guardian, 18 September 1915)____________________________________________________________
Death of a Nurse from Verdun.Nurse Clementine Addison, daughter of Mr. Henry and Mrs. Addison, of Caton and Lancaster, was called to rest on Monday evening, four months after returning from service in France for the French Red Cross. This proved so severe a task that Nurse Addison's health gave way. Her most strenuous duties lay in the trenches (twice), and the hospitals near Verdun; and Dr. F. Tremelieres, Medecin Chef de l'hospital No. 4 de la Batte, Besandon, says: - "It is with the greatest regret that I see Miss Addison leave us, regret that is doubled by the seriousness of her illness. Although I have been Medecin Chef of this hospital for so short a time, I very quickly appreciated her remarkable moral and professional qualities."
Nurse Addison was trained at Leicester, and left for France immediately after, so that her life has been given for the soldiers.
The Vicar (Rev. T. Mercer), invited the children of Caton to recognise her merits by singing in this church at her funeral on Thursday. The Rev. T. Mercer conducted the service, which included the hymns "There is a green hill far," and "Now the labourers task is o'er" and, specially appropriate, "O rest in the Lord" (Elijah). The coffin was enfolded in the Union Jack, and followed by a party of soldiers from the King's Own Depot, who paid their last tribute.
(Lancaster Guardian, 15 July 1916)____________________________________________________________
19002 Lance Corporal John Cragg, 1st The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Killed in action on 15th July 1916, aged 23. Son of William and Mary Elizabeth Cragg, of 14, Gregson Road, Moorlands, Lancaster.
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19550 Bombardier Henry French, 'F' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. Missing, presumed killed, on 5th September 1916, aged 31. Husband of Isabel Darrell (formerly French), of 84, "C" Square, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot.
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13611 Private Joseph Edward Preston, 10th Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment). Killed in action on 4th October 1916, aged 27. Son of Edward and Martha E. Preston.PRESTON. - In remembrance of JOSEPH EDWARD PRESTON, dearly loved son of MARTHA and EDWARD PRESTON, who was killed in action, Wednesday, October 4, 1916, aged 27 years.
Nobly he answered his country's call,
Amongst the first around the flag to rally;
Now at the call of the High Command,
He has answered the great Reveille.
(Lancaster Guardian, 21 October 1916)____________________________________________________________
CATONIAN WINS MILITARY MEDAL.Mr. and Mrs. George Pedder, 3, Wesleyan-row, Caton, have received notification of the award of the Military Medal to their youngest son, Private Jonathan Lambert Pedder, of the King's Own Lancaster Regt., in which he has been serving for two years. Pte. Pedder is 19 years of age, a native of Caton, and received his education at Brookhouse School. He was afterwards in farm service at Moorcock Farm, Caton, leaving upon his voluntary enlistment.
The award is made for gallant conduct at Wieltje, on December 23rd, and was notified with the congratulations of the major-general commanding the division. Pte. Pedder won the battalion cup for bayonet exercise. He has been at the front about four months.
(Lancashire Daily Post, 9 January 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Pte. Sydney Greenbank, Cameron Highlanders, has been wounded a third time. His mother lives at Sunny Bank, Caton.
(Lancaster Guardian, 6 October 1917)_____________________________________________________________
Catonian Wounded. Further details have been received concerning Pte. Harry Railton, K.O., to the effect that he was gassed and severely wounded on Nov. 8th. He has since been transferred to the War hospital at Croydon. Pte. Railton was wounded on Aug. 27th, 1916, in France. His parents reside in Vale-terrace, Caton.
(Lancaster Guardian, 24 November 1917)_____________________________________________________________
240579 Private Henry Titterington, 5th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Died, from the effects of gas, on 31st August 1918, aged 31.
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241009 Private Frederick George Thistlethwaite, 2nd/5th King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Reported missing on 2nd October 1918. Son of Mrs Thistlethwaite, of The Forge, Caton.
(Lancaster Guardian, 5.10.1918)
(Lancaster Guardian, 12 October 1918)The death in action of Pte. F. Thistlethwaite (23), L.T.M.B., son of Mrs. Thistlethwaite, The Forge, Caton, unofficially reported a fortnight ago, is now confirmed by Capt. Parker, who writes "On the night of October 1 he went into action with his section, which advanced with the infantry. After the attack your son was missing, and later news reached me that he was killed." Pte. Thistlewaite is the last of four Caton lads who enlisted together in the 5th K.O., Nov. 9, 1914, the others being H. Dowthwaite (killed 1915), J. Lamb (1916), and J. Garnett (1917). The Caton roll now contains the names of 33 who have laid down their lives for their country.
(Lancaster Guardian, 9 November 1918)
