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| Cpl Wilfred Lovelady |
Rifle Brigade,
Killed in Action,
19th February 1918
Age 25
Buried Oxford Road Cemetery
Newspaper Report: (Friday March 15th 1918)
We learn that Mr. and Mrs. Lovelady, of 140 Manchester Road, Haslingden, have received official news of the death of their son, Acting Corporal Wilfred Lovelady.
The lieutenant of the battalion wrote to them as follows: - "It is my unpleasant duty to write you informing you of your son's death. He was killed on the morning of February 17th. Our trench was heavily shelled and one shell exploded near to your son and another rifleman killing both instantaneously. I had both bodies sent back for burial. Your boy had only recently joined this battalion and was given a stripe immediately. He gave promise of early promotion and all the officers had singled him out so that his death is a genuine loss to the company. This type can be very badly spared. Please accept my sincere condolence with you in your sorrow".
Acting Corporal Lovelady joined the Army Service Corps three years ago and was afterwards transferred to the Prince Consorts Own (The Rifle Brigade). He was always bright and cheerful and had a pleasant smile for all. Before his enlistment he was in the employ of the Haslingden Corporation Electricity Department and was an ardent worker at the Townsend Street Gospel Mission. He was a celloist in the Rawtenstall Orchestral Society, and for the two years after joining up was in the Aldershot orchestral Band on the cello and the Military Band drum symbols and effects.
Much sympathy has been expressed for his sorrowing relatives at the loss of such a fine young N.C.O., whilst at Townsend Street Gospel Mission it is felt that the loss is of one who could not be spared. A memorial service will be held on Sunday next.
Newspaper Memorials:
In loving memory of our beloved Son, Corporal Wilfred Lovelady, Rifle Brigade, killed in France, February 17th 1916.
"The fairest flowers are first to fall,
A son so true and brave;
The fondest, dearest, best of all,
Has found a hero's grave."
From his sorrowing Father and Mother.
"Somewhere in France he peacefully rests,
Far from his home and those he loved best;
Still deep in my heart his memory will keep,
Dear is the place where a loved one sleeps,
"One of the best."
From his Sweetheart Eda
"A word of cheer he always had,
For friends both young and old;
And the good he's done to everyone,
On earth can ne'er be told."
"With deepest sympathy."
From Sam and Maud.
"Duty called and he was there,
To do his bit and take his share;
A loving friend, true and kind,
A beautiful memory he has left behind."
"Sadly missed."
From Hargreaves and Polly.
"We mourn for him in silence,
No eyes may see us weep,
But deep within our dwelling hearts,
His memory we shall keep."
"Deeply mourned."
From J.J. Parkinson and Family.
"His smiling face and kindly ways,
Are pleasant to recall,
He had a loving word for each,
And was beloved by all."
"With heartfelt sympathy."
From Lizzie
"Short and sudden was the call,
Of one so dearly loved by all;
His loving smile and welcome face,
No one can ever take his place.."
"In the flower of manhood he gave his life."
From Kate and Harry, Philanthropic Mutual Assurance Society, Blackburn.
"We miss him and mourn him,
In silence unseen,
And dwell in the memory,
Of joys that have been."
"Deeply mourned."
From Emily and Dick.
"Could I, his mother, have clasped his hand,
The son I loved so well,
To kiss his brow when death was nigh,
and whisper a last farewell.
Dear son, we'll never forget the words,
You said to soothe our pain;
"Don't worry, mother," was your last farewell,
"I shall soon be home again."
From his sorrowing Father and Mother, 140 Manchester Road.
"A bitter grief, a shock severe,
To part with one I loved so dear."
From his sweetheart Eda.
"So long Thy power hath blest me sure,
It still will lead me on,
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent till,
The night is gone;
And with the morn those angels faces smile,
Which I have loved long since and lost awhile."
From Mrs. Whalley, Dick and Harry (In France), 8 Northcote Street.
"There is a link death cannot sever,
Love and remembrance will last for ever."
From Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson, Lizzie, Albert and Jim (In France).
"In the flower of manhood he gave his life."
Time may heal the broken hearts,
Time may make the wound less sore,
But time will never heal the longing,
For the loved ones gone before."
From Sam and Maud, 11 Spring Lane.
"His smiling face and pleasant ways,
Recall sweet memories of happy days."
"One of the best."
Hargreaves and Polly, 81 Grane Road.
"Only a memory of bygone days,
And a sigh for a face unseen;
But a constant feeling that God alone,
Knoweth best what might have been."
From Harry and Kate, 3 Back Chapel Street, Haslingden.
"Our thoughts often turn to an unknown grave,
Far away in a stricken land,
And sorrow comes o'er us in a bitter wave,
As we fail to understand."
Deeply mourned by Emily and Dick.
