Preston Minster is holding the memorial service

A memorial service is being held for Private James McLaughlin, a member of the 6th (service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was killed in action 100 years ago.

The service will take place at The Loyals Regimental Chapel at St.Johns, The Minster, Church Street, on Monday 9 January at 2pm.

After the war broke out in 1914 Private McLaughlin enlisted for service following Earl Kitchener’s request for volunteers.

He fought in numerous places such as Gallipoli before being sent to Mesopotamia, where he was killed in action on 9 January 1917, aged 32.

McLaughlin left behind his wife and young daughter, however he has no known grave but is remembered on a memorial in Basra, Iraq and on the Harris Library wall.

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To mark the 100th anniversary of his death, his grandchildren have organised the memorial to mark the significant milestone, and Father Timothy Lipscomb has offered to hold the service at the Minster on Church Street.

The memorial service will feature a display of the extensive collection of McLaughlin’s memorabilia, including medals, ID Tag, soldiers handbook and many other items which the staff at Fulwood Barracks Museum have described as ‘the most comprehensive collection of items relating to a single individual that they have seen.’

Representatives from The Royal British Legion and The Loyals will also be present along with ‘the colours’ and BBC North West will be covering the service to feature on the 6.30pm programme later on Monday evening.

Will you be attending the memorial service? Do you have relatives who have fought in the war? Let us know in the comments below