St. Mary’s Church, Penwortham, Preston

Heather Crook, Editor of The Preston Magazine, would like the people of Preston, and in particular the Penwortham area, to know of a quest to find information of the men who are named on Penwortham War Memorial or St Mary’s Church. To enable everyone to understand a little more of what it is all about Heather sent us the following narrative.

On Sunday 15 February, at Penwortham St Mary’s Church, a special memorial candle was lit in remembrance of Private Rowland Tattersall (28313) of the 10^th (Prince of Wales Own Royal) Hussars who died on the 12^th February 1915.  Rowland was killed by a German sniper in Zillebeke, France.  He is remembered on the Menin Gates at Ypres and on the War Memorial on Liverpool Road, Penwortham.

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St Mary’s Church is remembering all First World War Casualties on the anniversary of their death to the nearest Sunday.  Rev. Chris Nelson spoke about Private Rowland Tattersall during the service this week.

Mr John Kay, long time member of the church, has researched in depth most of the men named on Penwortham War Memorial and also on the memorial boards in the church.  More information about these men will be given in ‘The History of Penwortham War Memorial Volume 2’ out later in the year.

The first soldier to pay the ultimate sacrifice from Penwortham was Private Daniel Wilding (8801) on the 18^th December 1914.  Daniel was the eldest son of William Wilding, who lived at 13 Brown’s Row, on Pope Lane.  Daniel, who joined up at the recruiting office in Preston volunteered to join the Scots Guards.  He was already in the Territorial Force, as a member of the 4^th Battalion North Lancashire Regiment.  He went to northern France as a member of the British Expeditionary Force and after a few months would became the first soldier from Penwortham to give his life in the Great War.  He has a grave in St Mary’s churchyard, and is mentioned on the war memorial in church and also on Penwortham War Memorial.  He is buried in the Caberet Rouge British Cemetery.  Daniel was only 19 years of age.

Sergt. Archibald Taylor (L7919) of 2^nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment was the first soldier to fall in the year 1915. He died on the 29^th January 1915 at the age of 28. He was the son of Frederick and Sarah Gertrude Taylor of 22 Lark Avenue, Penwortham. He was almost certainly a career soldier who had been in the army for some time at the outbreak of war. His service number indicates that he joined the colours in 1904.  He is remembered at the Le Touret Memorial in northern France.

The names of all three men where recorded on The Penwortham Roll of Honour found last year in the time capsule in Penwortham War Memorial, which was restored and then returned by Lancashire Archives.

The Friends of Penwortham War Memorial light a candle at the War Memorial on Liverpool Road in memory of every man on the day they died 100 years ago.

Anyone with any information of the men who are named on Penwortham War Memorial or St Mary’s Church please contact us on 07733 321911.

Do you know of anyone who lost their life in WW1 and was from Penwortham? Let us know in the comments below.