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| Private Kenyon Pilkington |
The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment),
Killed in Action,
29th July 1917,
Age 22
Commemorated Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Kenyon Pilkington was born in Haslingden in 1895. He was the son of James Ainsworth and Martha Ann Pilkington of 453, Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, where the family were still living in 1901, with sons Kenyon, aged 6 and Frank, aged 1. Prior to the outbreak of war he was an overlooker at Syke Mill. He joined up on 1 March 1916, and went to the Front on 9 September 1916. He was a member of Stonefold Church Institute, and was on the church roll of honour. He was single and at the time of his death his parents lived at 429, Blackburn Road, Acre. He was killed in action near Ypres, Belgium on 29 July 1917 and was 22 years of age.
"The 7th King's Own took part in a supporting action on the night of the British Fifth Army's assault in the Ypres' sector, known as the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).
There was no continuous line to be attacked, only strongpoints supporting each other with other Germans scattered in shellholes and short lengths of trenches. The King's Own were instructed to keep up to a British artillery moving barrage with any attacks on strong points to be carried out at the point of the bayonet as bombing fights only caused delay. If one platoon was held up the others were to push forward and surround the obstacle.
In the early hours on 29 July the 7th King's Own advanced on a frontage of 700 yards. There was surprisingly little opposition. Two concrete pill-boxes and their occupants were captured without much difficulty. All objectives were easily taken.
At 6.40 am however, the Germans counter-attacked and the right of the King's Own was completely broken up and the men had great difficulty in fighting their way back to a strongpoint previously constructed by the Royal Engineers. The men were rallied and managed to hold the German advance, although partially surrounded. Reinforcements were unable to reach them because of the heavy machine gun fire which met them when they left their positions.
The Germans attempted further counter attacks but they were beaten back every time by artillery, machine gun and Lewis gun fire before the attack could develop. Through that day, and the next, the 7th King's Own, all soaked to the skin by heavy rain, continued to man the front line. The whole battle area was a sea of mud and water. Trenches and shell holes were never less than a foot deep in water and evacuation of the wounded was extraordinarily difficult. The Battalion was relieved at 10 pm and withdrew to positions in the rear out of range of German shellfire. Casualties amounted to four officers killed and four wounded and 86 men killed and 140 wounded". From – Bill Turner’s Book.
Newspaper Report:
Mr and Mrs. Pilkington, of 429, Blackburn Road, Acre, Haslingden, have received official intimation that their son, Private Kenyhon Pilkington, King's Own Royal lancasters, was killed in action on July 29th, 1917.
Aged 22, and an overlooker at Syke Mill, he joined up on March 1st 1916, and went to the front on September 9th, 1916. He was a member of Stonefold Church Institute, and is on the roll of honour of that church.
"Often we pause to think of you,
And think of how you died,
To think you could not say good-bye,
Before you closed your eyes."
In loving remembrance from his brother, Frank.
"!In our homes you are fondly remembered,
Loving memories cling round your name."
From all at No.5 and 7, Hutch Bank.
"We little thought when we said good-bye,
We parted for ever and you were to die;
Oh! the grief that we feel, words cannot tell,
For we could not be with you to bid you farewell."
From his loving Father and Mother, 429, Acre, Haslingden.
"He gave his life, what more to give,
That his dear ones at home might live;
His country's call he answered well,
And on the battlefield he fell.
You're safe upon God's golden shore,
Not lost to us, but gone before;
Where hope is perfect, rest is sure,
And all is peace for evermore."
Ever remembered by all at 7, Hutch Bank.
Newspaper Report:
Mr and Mrs. Pilkington, of 429, Blackburn Road, Acre, Haslingden, have received official intimation that their son, Private Kenyhon Pilkington, King's Own Royal lancasters, was killed in action on July 29th, 1917.
Aged 22, and an overlooker at Syke Mill, he joined up on March 1st 1916, and went to the front on September 9th, 1916. He was a member of Stonefold Church Institute, and is on the roll of honour of that church.
"Often we pause to think of you,
And think of how you died,
To think you could not say good-bye,
Before you closed your eyes."
In loving remembrance from his brother, Frank.
"!In our homes you are fondly remembered,
Loving memories cling round your name."
From all at No.5 and 7, Hutch Bank.
"We little thought when we said good-bye,
We parted for ever and you were to die;
Oh! the grief that we feel, words cannot tell,
For we could not be with you to bid you farewell."
From his loving Father and Mother, 429, Acre, Haslingden.
"He gave his life, what more to give,
That his dear ones at home might live;
His country's call he answered well,
And on the battlefield he fell.
You're safe upon God's golden shore,
Not lost to us, but gone before;
Where hope is perfect, rest is sure,
And all is peace for evermore."
Ever remembered by all at 7, Hutch Bank.
