As we remember the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, here we reflect on the first wave of casualties from Salford who perished on that terrible day of slaughter and carnage.
Lance Corporal S.T.Howarth of the 3rd Battalion who died at Lally Lane, Military Hospital, Moston from wounds received on July 1, he was 29 years of age and lived at Whit Lane, pendelton with his wife and two children. Before enlisting he was a mangler at Walton’s Bleachworks, Whit Lane, sadly his other brother, Thomas was severly injured in the same battle and was in hospital recovering from his injuries.
Private James Gillow from the Royal Warwick Regiment, aged 22 who lived at Cromwell Road, Pendleton was killed in action on July 1. He was employed at Westinghouse in Trafford Park and had joined early on in the war.
His mother received a letter from the army chaplain which read, “We are grieved to to have to inform you of the death of your dear son, James from wounds received yesterday, he is being buried at the Rouen Cemetery, may God comfort you in your sorrow over the loss of your brave and gallant son”
Private Joseph Firth, 24, of the Salford Pals who died from wounds received on July 1, he lived at Meyer Street, off Eccles Old Road, Salford and before the war worked for the Manchester Ship Canal Company.
His parents received a letter from Major H. Ironside, who said, “It is with great regret to inform you of the death of your son, Joseph, he was killed instantly and without pain I am thankful to tell you. He was much admired by his fellow soldiers with his bright and cheerful manner. I saw him after death, he looked very peaceful and I was much upset”
Signaller Thomas Rothwell, 18, of the Salford Pals died from wounds on July 1, he lived at Mount Terrace, Salford with his parents and had worked at Lloyd’s Packing Warehouse, Manchester.
His parents also received that dreaded letter from his company sergeant which said, “Your brave son was sent with several other men on fatigue work near to the trenches and a shell burst killed him instantly, you have lost a good son and we a good comrade”
Corporal A. Walton age not given was married with three children and before joining the Lancashire Fusilerrs had been employed at Goodwin and Sons, Ordsall lane, Salford. A sad feature of his death is that his nephew was to see him killed in action on July 1.
Private Thomas Gibbons, 43, served with the Lancashire Fusiliers, killed on July 1, he left a wife and eight children who lived at Bird Steet, Salford. He was described as being a keen footballer with several local clubs including the Pendleton Lads Club.
Private Robert Ellis, 24 served with the 17th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, he died from wounds received on July 1, he left a wife and a child. Prioe to joining the army he worked at Tootal Broadhurst, Manchester. His brother Albert had been killed at Gallipoli on August 4 the same year.
Private William Widderson, 22, served with the Manchester Regiment, killed in action on July 1. he had formerly lived at Seedley Park Road, Salford and worked at Veal and White, Manchester.
William joined in an arrangement with four ‘chums’ two of whom had been killed and the other two wounded.
His father too would receive that fateful letter from one of his comrades which read, “No doubt you will have heard of the death of your son, Billy.
“He was shot through the head and died instantly while eagerly awaiting to go over the top.
“I can assure you that no one misses him more than I do, we were good pals and often called ‘the twins’.
“I am only sorry that I was not able to get his belongings from his pockets for you, but I was not allowed to go as the attack was still going on and I had been wounded in both legs. My excuse for writing to you is that I promised Billy that I would write to you if anything happened”
To me that letter from his comrade sums up both the comradeship that was formed in the trenches between these men and also the futility of the war.
One can only imagine how Billy’s parents felt after receiving that letter, pride possibly or devasting sadness, I just hope his ‘chum’ survived the war.
Main image: ‘A’ Company of the 19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, also known as the 3rd Salford Pals
