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| Private Edward Holmes |
East Lancashire Regiment,
Killed in action,
24th September 1917,
Age 21
Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial.
Newspaper Report:
Private Edward Holmes, East Lancashire Regiment, whose mother lives at 115 Hudrake, Haslingden was killed in action on September 24th, 1917.
In a letter to the deceased's mother a platoon officer states: - "It is with sorrowful heart that I have to inform you of the death of your son, Pte. E. Holmes. I was his platoon officer, and he acted as my servant, and I was the envy of the other officers in having such a smart, clean boy; and the faithful and conscientious way in which he performed his duties made me largely dependent on him. When the shell came he was about three yards away fro me, and he was killed instantly, but you have the consolation of knowing that he did not suffer any pain. I saw him buried with every mark of respect, but should you desire the exact site, the Graves Registration Society, whose task it is to care for and tend our heroes graves, will supply it to you, but not, I am afraid, before the end of the war. I am requested by the company and all the officers to beg that you will accept their deepest sympathy, to which I add mine, and beg that you will bear up through your trouble and take pride in the fact that he was a good, clean living boy, who did his duty without once my hearing him complain."
Private Holmes, who was 21 years old, joined the colours in February, 1916, and was home on leave in Agust, 1917. Before joining he was a carter for Mr. Lawrence Barnes, of Helmshore.
Newspaper Memorials:
In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Edward Holmes, killed in action, September 24th, 1917.
"Amidst the din of battle,
Engaged in deadly strife;
For country and for honour,
He bravely gave his life."
Far from those who loved him
In the distant grave he lies;
But the fight they fought is over,
And the din of battle dies,
He sleeps besides his comrades,
In a hero's grave unknown;
But his name is written in letters of love,
In the hearts he left at home."
Silently mourned by his Mother, Father, Brothers, William and Richard, and sisters.
"It's only a mother who knows the sorrow,
It's only a mother who knows the pain,
Of losing a son she loved so dearly,
And to know she will never see him again.
His tender words and smiling face,
Are pleasant to recall;
He had a loving word for all,
And died beloved by all.
We little thought when you said Good-bye,
You were parting for ever, and you were to die,
The pain was hard, the blow severe,
To part with one we love so dear."
From his sorrowing Mother and Father, Mrs. A. Laird, 186 Hudrake, Haslingden.
"The face we loved is now laid low,
His fond true heart is still;
The hand we clasped when we said Good-bye,
Lies now in Death's cold chill.
His pleasant face and kindly ways,
Are pleasant to recall;
He had a loving word for all,
And died beloved by all."
Deeply mourned by his Brother and Sister in law, Billy and Margaret Alice, and little Niece Maggie, 9, Station Road, Helmshore.
"In a far distant land though his body may rest,
Far from his home and the ones he loved best,
Still deep in our hearts his memory we keep,
Sweet is the place where he now lies asleep."
From his loving Brother and Sister in law, Dick and Emily.
"When last I saw his smiling face,
He looked so strong and bave;
I little thought how soon he would,
Be laid in a soldier's grave."
Sadly missed by Lily, 186 Grane Road, Haslingden.
"With aching hearts we shook his hand,
Tears glistened in our eyes;
We wished him luck, but never thought,
It was his last Good-bye."
From his loving Brother and Sister in law, Billy and Margaret Alice, and little Niece, Maggie, 9 Station Road, Helmshore.
"Our loving son, he marched away, he fought among the brave,
Somewhere in France he nobly fell, and fills a soldier's grave.
His smiling face and kindly ways are pleasant to recall,
He had a kindly word for each, and died beloved by all."
Sadly missed by his sorrowing mother and father, 184 Hudrake.
"Sleep on, dear brother, and take thy rest,
For God takes those he loves the best;
A faithful brother, true and kind,
Not one on earth like him we find."
From his loving brother, sister, and niece, Billy, Margaret Alice, and Maggie, Cliviger, Nr. Burnley.
"He has gone, like a flower cut down in full bloom,
From the sunshine of life to the shade of the tomb;
But death cannot sever the chain of our love,
And we hope in due time to meet him above."
Ever remembered by Dick and Emily.
"Sleep on, dear son, in a soldier's grave,
Your life for your country you nobly gave,
No one stood near you to say Good-bye,
But safe in God's keeping now you lie."
From his sorrowing Mother and Father, Mrs. and Mr A. Laird, 186 Hudrake, Haslingden.
"When last we saw his smiling face,
He looked so strong and brave,
We little thought how soon he'd be,
Laid in a soldier's grave."
Deeply mourned by his Brother and Sister in law, Dick and Emily.
"Days of sadness still come over me,
My tears in silence often flow,
Memory keeps my loved one near me,
Though he died four years ago."
From loving Mother and Father.
"God called you home, our loved one,
Because He saw that it was best,
From the dreadful road of battle,
To the land of peace and rest."
From his loving Brother, Sister in law, and Neice, Billy, Margaret Alice, and Maggie, Cliviger, near Burnley.
