Preston Grammar School Association

Duke Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry.

There is a brief reference in the Notes immediately following the Abbreviations relating to the DoLOY serving as a Battalion of the Manchester Regiment. The DLOY was a Territorial Army Cavalry Regiment recruiting almost exclusively within Lancashire, with Troops based on DLOY Drill Halls in many towns.   A Troop roughly equates to a Platoon and a Squadron roughly equates to a Company.  During the night of 10^th/11^th September 1914, A and B Squadrons sailed as part of 42^nd Division from England to Egypt. This was the first Territorial Division to sail from England. It served for four years guarding the Suez Canal, with attacks from Turkey a distinct possibility. From there the two Squadrons saw service at Gallipoli, garrison duties at Cyprus, served as Cavalry in the Western Desert.  C and D Squadrons landed at Le Havre on 28^th August 1915.  Later, with other Squadrons from Yeomanry Regiments a 3^rd Corps Cavalry Regiment was formed.  When this was disbanded C and D Squadrons went into the 12^th Manchester Regiment.

Ainsworth, Arthur James  Son of James Ainsworth, of Fulwood, married Isabel Marsden on 16^th June 1917.  He was serving in the Loyal North Lancashires.

Alderman, Robert Edward      Lieutenant in the 104^th Rifles. Captain, Royal Engineers, Civil Administration, Ministry of Interior, Baghdad. Iraq Service medal.

Additional information, no dates quoted.

Anderson, Alfred James Farquehar     Father - Alfred Anderson, 18 Bank Place, Ashton-on-Ribble,  Preston.   1922 - 7 Victoria Parade, Ashton-on-Ribble.  Commercial Traveller.

Alfred born 30^th October 1896.   St Andrew’s School.   Corporation Free Scholar for 3 years, could be extended.   PGS 16^th September 1907 to 1^st February 1911.  Oxford Local Delegacy University Certificates, Junior, Pass 1^st Division.   Clerk. 

Anderson, Alfred, joined Territorials, H9-1914.  Gunner, C Sub-Section, 9^th Battery, 2^nd West Lancashire  Royal Field Artillery, H1-1915. H1-1916.  (Is this Alfred James Farquehar Anderson?)

This has been a name query which is now resolved.  Alfred J F Anderson, Royal Field Artillery, Gunner 1326 and 680275.   Served in France from 22^nd December 1915.

Attwater, Ernest   Scots Guards and Attwater, E    Royal Engineers, in the main List appear to be the same person.  Scots Guards, Number 13774; Royal Engineers, Number 154734; 10^th Middlesex, 2^nd Lieutenant, 154734;   Royal Marines Light Infantry, 2^nd Lieutenant, 154734; 20^th Middlesex, 2^nd Lieutenant, 154734. Served in France.  All entries are recorded on one Army Records item showing that on 26^th July 1923 his home address was 31 Lower Bank Road, Fulwood, Preston.

Bamber, Sydney     Father - John Thomas Bamber, 17 Fylde Street.   Cycle Maker, Employer. 

Sydney born 13^th December 1895.  St Peter’s School.   PGS 16^th September 1907 to 7^th April 1909.  Free Place Scholar.  Gone abroad.

Enrolled in Canadian Army 17^th November 1914.  His father was recorded as being a farmer of Sion, Alberta, and Sydney gave his occupation as a farmer of the same address. He was not married.  Shown as born 13^th December 1894, which is another example of the one year error due to the peculiar records at the School.  His brother Norris, born 11^th January 1896, a farmer of the same address, enlisted at the same time.   Sydney was 5’5” tall.  He was in the 31^st Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force.   New entry.

(His brother Norris Bamber, born 11^th January 1896, enlisted the same day. An N Bamber is recorded as serving in the Canadian Infantry 49^th Battalion, Alberta Regiment, No 436485, died 30^th May 1916, Maple Copse Cemetery, Memorial Reference Sp. Memorial J.16. Norris has not been traced in PGS but his date of birth ensures that Sydney’s correct date must be 13^th December 1894.)

Bannister, E J   Pilot, RFC   Reference to this made in WW2 RAF Service.

Bentley, Gerald W  Lance Corporal, 11^th Manchester, Service Number 164872.  Served in the Balkans from 14^th July 1915.  Then transferred into the Labour Corps.

Additional details.

Blackhurst, John James   Middlesex Regiment, Regimental Number 1717, Private.  Second Lieutenant 6^th Loyal North Lancashires.  Captain, Staff Corps. Served from 4^th August 1914, and went to India either that date or soon after. Commissioned 1^st September 1917.  On 27^th April 1920 was at the family home, Sharoe Green Farm.

Briggs, Archie Browning Father - Walter Briggs, 80 Church Street, Preston, 1922.   Newsagent and Stationer.

Archie born 7^th December 1896.  St Mary’s Street Wesleyan.   PGS 16^th September 1907 to 26^th July 1913.  Corporation Free Scholarship.  Miller.  School Football Captain, 1912-13 Season.  Football Colours 1912-13. H12-1913.  Clerk, Manchester & Liverpool District Bank.  Westminster Dragoons, H1-1916.  Released from HM Forces, H4-1919.  

Second County of London Yeomanry (Westminster Dragoons), Private 2856, 1^st November 1915.

Royal Lancashire Regiment, 203046. No dates given, it is not clear if this was a temporary transfer to KORL.  Substantive transfer from Second County of London (Westminster Dragoons) to Machine Gun Corps, 302767, 16^th August 1917.  Machine Gun Corps Tanks, 10^th Tanks, 17^th August 1917.  4^th King’s Own Royal Lancaster, 300017.

Served Home 1^st November 1915 to 26^th April 1916, to Southampton. Le Havre 27^th April 1916, BEF to 15^th August 1917 to Le Havre.  UK 16^th August 1917 to Tank Corps Training Centre 17^th August 1917.  Folkestone 9^th November 1917 to Boulogne 9^th, recorded as being on Home Service until 12^th November and France on 13^th November 1917.  To UK for demob 17^th January 1919 and demobbed 15^th February 1919.  Lance Corporal 31^st December 1917. It is possible that 4^th KORL, 300017, was his Reserve posting on demob.

VCrozier, Henry Cyril     Was teaching at Sharrow Lane C S, Sheffield, before enlisting.

Deane, Norman      Attested on 16^th August 1917 at Preston, described his occupation as School Boy. Joined at Ripon. 69^th Training Reserve Battalion. Border Regiment 16^th August 1917. Appointed Lance Corporal 6^th March 1918. To Officer Cadet Battalion, Pirbright, 6^th July 1918.  Lance Corporal on Discharge 13^th February 1919.  Certified no entries on his Regimental Conduct Sheet.

Additional Army information.

Douglas, Andrew Bruce  Father - Revd Andrew Douglas, 328 (358) New Hall Lane, Preston. 1922 - St Cuthbert’s Vicarage, Preston.

Andrew born 17^th December 1897 or 1898.  St Matthew’s School.  PGS 10^th September 1906 to 23^rd April 1910. Roll 1909. Scholarship of £40pa by the Governors of Rossall School. MA Cantab.  Another record gives year of birth as 1898, aged 8 on entry in 1906.

St Cuthbert’s Parish was formed in 1907 when Revd Andrew Bruce led worshippers in St Cuthbert’s School, Plungington Road. Sir William Tomlinson presented the land and the Church was consecrated on 25^th July 1916.  Andrew Douglas remained Vicar until he died in 1936.

PGSA No 178, 9^th July 1925. The Crossways, Holt, Norfolk.  Farfield, Holt, Norfolk. Life Member.

This was a name match only but is now confirmed. He served as a Lieutenant in the Loyal North Lancashires, went to France on 9^th April 1917 and his campaign medals were sent to him on 2^nd May 1923 to his home address, St Cuthbert’s Vicarage, Cadley, Preston.

Farnworth, Norman Rossall  Joined Mr Cyril Cartmell’s Company, Pals Battalion, LNL (Regulars); now on Salisbury Plain; H9-1914.   D Company, 7^th LNL (Preston Pals)  H1-1915. H1-1916.   (Is this Norman Russall or Rossall Farnworth?)

Farnworth, Norman Russall  (Shown with U, and O ? above it)     Father - A C Farnworth, Gordon House, Ashton-on-Ribble.  1922 - 27 Beech Grove, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston.   Coal Merchant.

Norman born 29^th October 1895.   St Andrew’s School.   Free Place Scholar.   PGS ….October 1907 to 23^rd November 1910.  Coal Merchant’s office.

Army records show his name as Norman Rossall Farnworth.  He enlisted 7^th September 1914, Private 13159 and was discharged 18^th May 1915 due to sickness.

Foster, Reginald Duncan        Father - Alfred E Foster,   St Luke’s Vicarage.   Vicar of St Luke’s.

Reginald born 1^st November 1894.  Richmond Council School.   PGS 20^th January 1909 to 20^th December 1910.  Mechanical Engineer.  

Family and School details added.

Furlong, Ernest William Hyde   HMHS Carisbrook Castle took up her duties as a Hospital Ship on 3^rd September 1914. Union Castle used that spelling without the final “e” in Carisbrook.  Until such time as information becomes available, it is assumed that Ernest Furlong was a Merchant Navy Officer serving in the Union Castle Line who joined, or possibly re-joined, his ship.  The Company usually ran ships between UK and South Africa. Carisbrook Castle was built by Fairfield SB & E Co, Glasgow, in 1898.  7,626 tons, 485 feet long, quadruple expansion steam engine of 1,400 NHP, 15 knots, a Mail steamer, the first to place first class passengers amidships. In 1900 made the last Cape Mail sailing from London before Southampton became the main terminal. In 1912 moved onto the East Africa route and in 1914 was in reserve at Netley (Solent) and became the first ship to be requisitioned. Served as a Hospital Ship with more than 400 beds throughout the war and seems to have had an uneventful service before returning to her Owners on 26^th August 1919.  Hospital Ships sailed under their national flag (Union Flag) and not the Naval or Mercantile Ensigns.  Unarmed, painted white with a broad green band interrupted with huge red crosses, floodlit at night, Germany ignored the Conventions and attacked them, torpedoing several.

Goodwin, Thomas      Father - James Richard Goodwin, 5 St Paul’s Square.   Later, 229 St George’s Road.  Master Umbrella Maker.   (Orchard Street umbrella shop - “We Shall Have Rain”)

Thomas born 8^th December 1895.  St Paul’s School.  PGS, Free Place Scholar, 16^th September 1907 to 25^th July 1914.  Roll 1909.  Pass, July 1912, senior candidates, Oxford local examinations, passed in spoken French. School Prize for Mathematics 1913. School Football Secretary 1913-14.    H12-1913..   Entered the Civil Service, appointment referred to at Distribution of Prizes 24^th February 1916, H5-1916. Ex-captain of Harris, H11-1917.  Severely wounded in Palestine,  H2-1918.

PGSA No 247, 1^st March 1927,   PGS Sept 1921 - Dec 1922. September 1907 - July 1914.  143 Singleton Avenue, Prenton, Birkenhead. 11 Stockwell Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire. Ribblesdale, Sapcote Road, Burbage, Leicestershire.  Flat 3, 14 Seafield Road, Burbage, Leicestershire.  Deepdale, Colyford Road, Seaton, Devon. Life Member. Membership card adds:  Flat 2, 14 Seafield Road, Seaton, Devon.  Deceased November 1977.

Additional School and PGSA details.

Gore, Frederick      Father - Richard Gore, Tarleton.  1922, Hesketh Lane, Tarleton.  Hay Dealer.

Frederick born 20^th March 1895.   Hesketh Bank Elementary.  PGS 16^th September 1907 to 20^th December 1911,  Roll 1909.  Bank Clerk. 

At Fulwood Barracks 3^rd February 19xx.  Aged 20 yrs 9 months, of Hawthornden, Tarleton, next of kin father, Richard, of same address.  A single man, bank clerk. To Liverpool Regiment.  Service in UK 21^st January 1916 to 15^th February 1917.  To France 16^th February 1917. Wounded at Duty, 22^nd June 1917.  Query place “Duty”.

New entry.

Harrison, Aidan    Father - Martin Harrison, The Vicarage, Longridge.  Clerk in Holy Orders - Vicar of Longridge.   1922.

Aidan born 9^th December 1894.  West Cliff Private School. PGS 22^nd January 1906 to 28^th March 1910.   To Rossall School. 

Matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, just before war broke out.  Commissioned, and went on active service a year later. Captain, Loyal North Lancashires. DSO about end 1916, H1-1917.   Later, wounded in action.   Son of the Vicar of Longridge, H11-1917.  When Aidan was 6 years his father was 46 and his mother, Lucy Charlotte, was 45 years. His DSO is recorded without a date. He is recorded by the Army but not in PGS records as having a Mentioned in Despatches, LGS 4^th January 1917 (Operations) and LGS 25^th May 1917 (Operations) London Gazette 25^th May 1917. Does this mean he gained two MiD during 1917? Recorded by the Army as living at 20 Holly Road, Blackpool at 28^th April 1927. 

NB:  There are two Aidan Harrison’s, one being shown in Army Records as Aidan Harrison, home address 29 Butler Street, Blackpool; next of kin his mother, Rose, of that address. He had been the Assistant Box Office Keeper at the Opera House, Blackpool.

Harrison, Thomas Churton   see Main List. Born Brierfield. Medical Student, Liverpool University.  Joined the Army at Manchester on 20^th September 1914. Served in France 15^th June to December 1915 and 20^th July 1917 to March 1918.  Was a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery 670 Battery and was discharged 4^th June 1916, unfit. (May not be 4^th, ink on records has run.) On 19^th February 1917 Private, Motor Driver and Veterinary Assistant.  Aged 23.  5’4½“, 9st 5lbs, physical condition good. At Grantham 31^st March 1917. Posted as a casualty.  Transferred to Machine Gun Corps (Heavy) TC, 13^th June 1917.  14^th June 1917 posted to Motor Machine Gun Corps, Depot Woolwich.  Posted to 9^th Battalion 12^th July 1917.  Embarked Southampton 22^nd July 1917 for France.  Leave in UK, on return was admitted to hospital 2^nd February 1918, scarlet fever, possibly Bethnal Green Military Hospital.  Contracted rheumatic fever in France. Affected muscles mainly in his legs.  Assessed as not likely to be permanent, possibly 12 months. Southern General Hospital, Portsmouth, muscular, possibly 6^th to 14^th March 1918. Auxiliary Hospital, Ryde, IoW, 14^th March to 22^nd April 1918.       Catterick 2^nd August to 26^th September 1918. Private 201620, Tank Corps. Transferred to Reserve 30^th January 1919.

VHoward, Arthur Lythgoe   Preston Guardian, 22^nd December 1917 reported: Official intimation has been received by Mr and Mrs Howard, 50 Grafton-street, Preston, of the death in action, on December 4^th, of their elder son, Sapper Arthur Lythgoe Howard, R E Signals. His officer writes:- “All the section regret his death.  He was a capable and cheerful worker under the most trying conditions.  We all feel we have lost a personal friend.” Sapper Howard was educated at Grimshaw-street School and Preston Grammar School, and was a Post Office sorting clerk and Telegraphist.  He joined the Army in November 1914, going to France in August, 1915.  He was well known in sport, having played in the Grammar School second eleven football team, was a member of the Preston Life-Saving Society, Fishwick Golf and Penwortham Tennis Clubs, and hon secretary for the Post Office Football Club.

Howarth, N S   Released from HM Forces, H4-1919.

Howarth, Norman Stanley Father - John Howarth, 62 Porter Street, Preston.  232 St Thomas’ Road, Preston, 1922. Master Reed Maker.

Norman born 26^th April 1901. Fulwood GS.  PGS 15^th September 1915 to 28^th July 1917.  O&C Lower Certificate July 1917. With his father in Deepdale Reed Works for six months; now a student at the Wireless College, Manchester.

Personal and School details added.

Howarth, Sydney    Father - Nathaniel Howarth, 124 Deepdale Road, Preston.  Insurance Superintendent.

Sydney aged 14, born 11^th December 1893.  St Mary’s Wesleyan. Free Scholarship.  PGS 16^th September 1907 to

Royal Field Artillery, Number 116691.  Single man, next of kin his mother, Elizabeth, of Brentwood House, Watling Street Road, presumably a widow, and that was his address on enlistment.  Born in Leeds.  He was a School Master when enlisted on 8^th December 1915.  He was 5’7½”, 8st 6lbs.    There was an “S Howarth” teaching at Ormskirk prior to serving in the Forces. He was in the Royal Regiment of Artillery (Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery) as an Acting Lance Bombardier, 25^th February 1916.  Acting Bombardier 24^th March 1917; Corporal 13^th June 1917; Acting Sergeant 2^nd July 1917.  Transferred to Royal Garrison Artillery as Acting Sergeant 2^nd July 1917, Number 173682, to No 1 Reinforcing Siege Depot, Bexhill.  10^th August 1917 No 1 Reinforcing Siege Artillery. 8^th December 1917, Artillery Brigade, Lydd.  12^th January 1918 BEF, Italy, and confirmed in rank of Corporal.  28^th January 1918, HQ Royal Artillery, BEF Italy.  He was in 176 Siege Battery, RGA, Corporal.  He may have left Italy on 5^th January 1919, appears to have been discharged at Prees Heath on 12^th January 1919. His home address was then given as 22 Hodge Road, Walkden, Nr Manchester.  In 1921 he was recorded by the Army living at 140 Deepdale Road, Preston.

VJenson, Wilfrid              NOT on the Memorial.    

Father - Jonathan Jenson, 11 Watling Street Road.  Insurance Agent.

Wilfrid born 9^th August 1894.  Fulwood Grammar School (Private).  PGS 16^th September 1907 to 5^th February 1910.  To Farming.

He enlisted in Manchester in the 7^th King’s on 26^th September 1914. Army records give his name as Wilfred Glover Jenson, and his brother’s Manchester address. He went to France on 7^th March 1915. His brother was Alfred, given as next of kin, of 7 Granville Street, Monton Green, Manchester, but Wilfred’s residence was shown as “Southport”.

Knagg, Robert Cyril  Difficult to track down until realised he dropped his first name and is recorded officially as Cyril Knagg.   Regimental Number 13207, Private, served from 7^th September 1914 to 26^th May 1917, discharged Wounded.

Lane, Cyril Frank Father - Edgar Henry Lane, 64 Hartington Road, Preston.  Butter Inspector.

Cyril aged 10, born 1894.  PGS 11^th September 1905.

Family and School details added.

Leece, Edward  Father - Frederick Leece, 52 Higher Bank Road, Fulwood, Preston.  Dentist.

Edward aged 11, born 1893. Fulwood & Cadley Elementary. PGS 12^th September 1904.

Father - Frederick Leece, deceased, Dentist.   52 Higher Bank Road, Fulwood.

Edward born 11^th June 1893.  Fulwood & Cadley Elementary.   PGS 12^th September 1904 to 7^th April 1909.   Apprenticed as a Sailor.  (Two admission records.)

Enlisted at Liverpool 2^nd October 1914. Initially recorded as having previous service as a Royal Marine, but corrected to Mercantile Marine, Ship’s Officer.  Posted 2^nd West Lancashire Division, Army Service Corps, Private Number 2607, 2^nd October 1914 to 5^th November 1915. 57^th West Lancashire Division 6^th November 1915. Train ASC 31^st August 1916. Posted Regular ASC 1^st September 1916, something unreadable then 253514, Driver.  Discharged 7^th June 1919.  Gledholt House, Orchard Road, St Annes-on-Sea.  His mother, Deborah Ellen Leece, of this address, is given as next of kin.

Not a positive identification - no parent, home address or date of birth.

Lewty, Harold

Royal Fusiliers, Private, PS / 9613. GS / 74851

Littlefair, Albert   Corporal    Headmaster’s Secretary left at end 1915 to join Army Service Corps.   Service Number S4 / 146818.

Name match only:

Longstone, Richard

Royal Army Service Corps, 3^rd Cavalry Division, Corporal / Acting Sergeant. S4 / 173721. An MSM awarded at the end of the War.

Not a positive identification - no parent, home address or date of birth.

Lonsdale, Alfred George

RASC Private M2 / 099135.  France on 5^th September 1915. Discharged 20^th March 1919.

Malcolm, Walter      Father - Alec R Malcolm, Bull & Royal Hotel  Church Street    Preston

Walter born 27^th July 1893   PGS January 1902 to   Modern

Apprenticed for three years to Stevenson, Preston. Single.  Attested 28^th October 1914, Army Service Corps, Number 08504.  Joined at Grove Park 29^th October 1914. He was a lorry driver in the ASC and from 16^th November 1916 to 2^nd March 1919 was in No 683 Motor Transport Company, ASC.  He was discharged on 24^th April 1919 to his home address which may have been Winslow Villa on Liverpool Road, Penwortham.

New entry.

Mark, Hedley     Father - Harry Mark, 273 Fletcher Road.  Over-looker.

Mark born 4^th August 1896.  St Mary’s Street Wesleyan.   Free Place Scholar, PGS 14^th September 1908 to 28^th July 1910.    Clerk in Accountant’s office.

Loyal North Lancashires, Regimental No 4661, then Service No 201856, Sergeant. This is a name match only but as there does not appear to be another Hedley Mark in the British Army it may well be a PGS Old Boy. No other Army details are recorded.

Marsden, Henry Wiseman   Served in the South Lancashires, Lieutenant.  Went to France 23^rd August 1916.  On 13^th January 1922 he contacted the Army, his home address was 64 Garstang Road, Fulwood.

McCleverty, Patrick Hope   Father - Col. James McCleverty, Sherwood Foresters, probably at Fulwood Barracks.  3^rd Form July 1894.

School details.

VMcCleverty, Robert Jim         NOT on the Memorial.

2^nd Form  July 1894. 

School details.

Myres, John L  Professor Sir John   MA, FSA. Formerly Wykeham Professor of Ancient History and Fellow and Librarian of New College, Oxford, was presented with the gold medal of the Society of Antiquaries for distinguished services to Archaeology at its anniversary meeting on 2^nd April, 1942; H-Midsummer 1942.

Nevett, Norman Ernest  The Hoghtonian reference only gave his name as being in the Forces.  Army records give his date of birth as 19^th January 1899, another with a one year difference. Home address 6 Lytham Road, Fulwood. Father was Thomas Charles and mother was Clara.  He was 5’10¾”.  A bank clerk.   He Attested (Enlisted) on 30^th November 1916, to Army Reserve 1^st December 1916, Mobilised 21^st February 1917.  His Training Reserve Number was 51151. He was in the 75^th TRB, transferred 10^th June 1917 to 72^nd TRB, then graduated from TRB (SwB) on 3^rd August 1917.  He was in BEF Base Depot No 5 2^nd February 1918.  7^th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 31594. Wounded 28^th March 1918 at Henin.  To 6 Sty Hospital Trevent 29^th March 1918 for treatment. To 7 Canadian General Hospital, Etaple, 31^st March 1918. To 3 Scottish General Hospital Glasgow on 2^nd April 1918. He was on 7-days special leave from the hospital to his home address then shown as Burrow Bank, Garstang Road, Fulwood, from 21^st to 27^th September 1918. To 1 Scottish General Hospital Aberdeen (Aboyne Castle) on 4^th October 1918. His injuries are not detailed, indicated with initials, but may have been shrapnel; he had infected wounds of the backs of his hands. Discharged 10^th January 1919, no longer fit for war. He had 60% disability affecting his prospects in the labour market, likely to reduce to 40%.  Sty could be 6 Stationary Hospital; Etaple is more usually Etaples.

Noble, Arthur  Father - John Noble, 234 Manchester Road, Preston.  Clerk at Preston Guardian.  Arthur born 20^th April 1894. Grimshaw Street School.  PGS 10^th September 1906 to... PGS 14^th September 1906 to 29^th July 1909.    Clerk.  Entries on two records.  It is possible that his father signed him in on 10^th September and the School began on 14^th September.

Army Service Corps, H1-1916.

Arthur Noble, 42 Frenchwood Avenue, a clerk, single man, next of kin father, John, at same address, signed on 8^th November 1915.  Posted as a Private, 146890.  Acting Corporal with pay from 8^th December 1915.  ASC Motor Transport Acting Corporal 13^th December 1915. Served in UK from 8^th November 1915 to 25^th March 1916, to France 26^th March 1916. He was 5’9½”, 116 lbs. Prior to joining ASC the Officer Commanding had reported that he was unfit for the Infantry, he was a Post Office clerk, but he was a smart recruit of good class. Posted to “A” Coy, ASC, Aldershot. He had made mincemeat of his clerical trade tests. His records show that he was in the ASC, Clerk Wersees.  What is “Wersees”?

Additional School, family and Army details.

Palmour, Charles John Geoffrey   FCA Senior Partner, Whinney, Smith and Whinney, Chartered Accountants, was knighted in the 1947 Birthday Honours. In Additional List One he is shown as a name match only but the chances of two men with the same name and both being qualified accountants must be highly unlikely.  In the Great War - Captain, RASC, Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 24^th December 1917.  Temporary Lieutenant, 13^th February 1915, Army List 1915. 

Charles Palmour has been positively identified as an Old Boy.  He did not serve in the Second World War so his further career should be detailed here.  President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants 1938-39 to 1943-44 inclusive. When the Kylsant shipping empire imploded and many famous shipping lines were lost or reconstructed, Harland & Wolff, the Belfast shipbuilders survived and continued with its ethos unchanged. Engineering excellence without regard to the contract price was its way of working, bringing about several financial crises. In the Second World War when Government contracts were on a cost-plus basis H&W managed the impossible and made a loss on one of its large specialist ships for the Navy.  During one of its crises in September 1941, its overdraft was increased to £4 million provided Denis Rebbeck stepped down from Chairman and concentrated on the management of the Belfast facilities. He received a knighthood. The chairmanship went to Charles Palmour from the accountancy firm who were Auditors of the Midland Bank. He remained Chairman for about three years.  Harland & Wolff could not be allowed to fail.  They built a greater wartime tonnage than any other British shipbuilder and were essential to the prosecution of the war, building anything from aircraft carriers to landing craft.  He was knighted in 1947 and received the very briefest of mentions in The Hoghtonian which managed to avoid stating why he had been honoured. In 1947 the Minister of Defence, replying in Parliament to Ian Mikardo on questions regarding the use of manpower in the Armed Forces, announced the appointment of an experienced accountant to examine the Army’s methods of storekeeping - Charles Palmour.  There is a one-off and possibly important reference and perhaps a Mason will be able to provide an explanation - Sir Charles Palmour, PJGW 1931 Master of the Jubilee Masters Lodge No 2712. That must post-date his knighthood.  Born 16^th August 1877, he died in London on 20^th April 1948. Could one of our accountants check in their bound volumes of the Institute’s Journal (which have been lining their office walls untouched for years awaiting this moment!) and provide additional information? There must be quite an obituary somewhere.

It is possible that he had a younger brother at the School - 1176 Palmour, Walter St Lawrence, born 29^th June 1882, PGS 17^th September 1894 to April 1896, but both were at PGS before the records gave any details of parents or addresses.

Whinney, Smith and Whinney by a process of acquisition and amalgamation became today’s Ernst Young.

VPomfret, Frank           War Memorial.  

Father - Frank Pomfret, 7 Havelock Terrace, Garstang Road, Preston.  Paper Merchant.

Frank born 3^rd August 1893.  Eldon Street School.   PGS 14^th September 1904 to 29^th July 1909.   Tailor. KILLED IN WAR   

Liverpool Scottish (Territorials), H4-1915. H1-1916.

Transferred to the Gordon Highlanders  L/Cpl 843145.

Number 4338, 10^th Scottish having enlisted at Liverpool on 4^th February 1915. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal 7^th January to 28^th June 1916, reverted to Private 29^th June to 28^th August 1916. Transferred 29^th August 1916.  Served in UK 4^th February 1915 to 28^th June 1916, then to BEF on 29^th August 1916. As he was Private until 28^th August 1916 it appears that he returned to being a Lance Corporal with service from 29^th August 1916.

CWG: Pomfret, Frank   Private Gordon Highlanders 2^nd Battalion, aged 24, died KIA on 2^nd April 1917. S/43145. Son of Frank and Margaret Pomfret of 7 Havelock Terrace, Garstang Road, Preston.  Bay 8 and 9 of the Arras Memorial. 

Preston Memorial:  Frank Pomfret,  Havelock Terrace, Garstang Road. Tailor’s Cutter.  Gordon Highlanders, Lance Corporal S/43145. 2^nd April 1917, in France, Killed in Action.

Havelock Terrace is on the west side of Garstang Road, opposite St Thomas’s Road and the Moor Park gates.

Pritt, Geoffrey Murdoch Father - Thomas Pritt, 8 Guildhall Street, Preston.  Civil Engineer. 

Geoffrey born 30^th May 1896.   Previously at Handsworth Grammar School.  PGS 30^th April 1906 to 12^th October 1911.   Lancashire Evening Post 21^st August 1908 reported that he had been awarded a Senior Thornley Scholarship, aged 12.   Went on to Coatham Grammar School, family left Preston.

Royal Field Artillery, H4-1915.  (1486) Gunner, 3^rd Battery, 49^th (West Riding) Division, RFA, now in Belgium. Like L P Carter, had a weakness for things mechanical, H9-1915.  H1-1916. Corporal.  Commissioned as Lieutenant. In France from 13^th April 1915. On 9^th August 1920 requested his campaign medals, address was 4 Derby Road, Fulwood, Preston.

VRawsthorn, Aldred Eric           War Memorial.   

On 10^th June 1915 when a Lieutenant was admitted to hospital (Flu was hitting many), 2^nd Lieutenant Rawsthorn took command of the Machine Gun Section.   On the 16^th June, at Festubert, Eric Rawsthorn was killed by a shell when leading his Machine Gun team across the open to the German trenches.

. 

Reed, George    

Corporal, D Squadron, Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry, H1-1915. H1-1916. Wounded, H9-1916. Military Medal, H10-1918. Regimental Number 3173. Promoted Sergeant. To 6 RRC Dgns, 2^nd Lieutenant; to Tank Corps, 2^nd Lieutenant. France from 22^nd May 1915. Address on 22^nd June 1922, communication from Army, was 47 Fishergate.  PGSA No 202, 18^th January 1926.  

V Sharp, Robert                 NOT on the Memorial.

Father - James Sharp, 30 Chaddock Street.  Gold-miner in South Africa.

Robert born 7^th November 1895.  Grimshaw Street School.  PGS 14^th September 1908 to 12^th April 1911.   Shop Assistant.

Mrs Sharp, Glamy-mor, Rossall Beach, Fleetwood, has received word that her only son, Corporal Robert Sharp, 21, South Africa Regiment, has been killed in action. Deceased received his education at Preston Grammar School and in 1913 went to South Africa to take up farming. At the outbreak of war he enlisted with the South African forces, and was taken prisoner whilst fighting in South West Africa. In February 1915 he came to England, and went to France in July of the same year.  He was expected home last week to attend his sister’s marriage. Corporal Sharp had a wide circle of friends in Preston and the Fylde. Preston Guardian 29^th September 1917.

CWG: Sharp, R   South African.  Corporal.  South African Infantry, 1^st Regiment (Infantry).  Died 20^th September 1917. Number 7699. Commonwealth War Dead. Memorial Reference: Panel 15-16 and 16A Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Preston Memorial:  Corporal Robert Sharp, Lawrence Street, Fulwood; (Late) Chaddock Street, Preston.  Agricultural Student. 1^st South African Infantry. Corporal 7699.  Died 20^th September 1917, Flanders.

He went to South Africa in 1913 as an Agricultural Student.  Joined the 8^th Mounted Rifles at the outbreak of war.  Was six months a prisoner of war, released on the surrender to General Botha. He enlisted and was sent to Flanders.  Mrs A Sharp (Mother).

Smethurst, Fredd H Father - Joseph H Smethurst, Garstang Road, xxxx  Assistant Borough Surveyor.

Fredd aged 9, born 1895.   Xxxxx   PGS 31^st January 1905.

Family and School details added.

Smith, Samuel H  Staff Captain, fifth son of Mr and Mrs J R Smith, of Preston and Windermere, has been awarded the Military Cross. Captain Smith, who was educated at the Preston Grammar School, Leys School, Cambridge, and Caius College, Cambridge, and was a barrister-at-law on the outbreak of the war, joined the Army as a private soon after hostilities commenced, and subsequently obtained a commission in the Cheshire Regiment.  Later he received a staff appointment.

Spelman, Henry H Father - Thomas Robert Spelman, Victoria Nurseries, Victoria Road, Fulwood, Preston.  Florist.

Henry aged 15, born 1889.  Xxxxx PGS 12^th September 1904.

Family and School details added.

Spencer, L D W Rev  Chaplain to the Forces, at the beginning of March 1916 is reported to have moved from LNL to 2^nd / 5^th King’s Own Regiment, stationed at Ashford, Kent.

See Additional List One and Main List.

Wallwork, John   1^st/10^th Middlesex, Regimental Number 1426, Private. Royal Engineers, Number 574202. Middlesex Regiment, Number 290174. Serving in the Bay of Bengal from 26^th September 1915.

Woods, George    Father - George Woods, 75 Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, Preston.   Plumber, Journeyman.

George born 24^th February 1896.  St Matthew’s School.   PGS 13^th September 1909 to 26^th July 1913.  Oxford Junior Locals 1^st Class Honours, 58^th out of 6,921 candidates, 1912.  Passed Spoken French.      Form prize, Upper IV. Preliminary Teachers Examination Parts 1 and 2 1913. School Prize for History.  School Football Vice Captain, 1912-13 Season.  First XI centre forward, the cleverest forward in the team, fast and a good marksman.   Sticks to the ball too long and curves and circles in a bewildering manner.  Took second place in the Gymnastic Competition, 1913. Miller, H12-1913. Was Student Teacher at an Elementary School from August 1913.  Battersea Training College 1914.  Known as “Dody”, described as a rare athlete, H9-1915. 

Son of George. Cousin of Captain George Woods, son of John, who was KIA 9^th September 1916.  Preston Guardian, 29^th December 1917, reports that “George Woods, Liverpool Scottish, son of Mr and Mrs George Woods, Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, is at present lying in a French hospital suffering from illness. The first intimation his parents received of the prevailing state of affairs was a letter from their son stating that he was progressing favourably in hospital.  Private Woods, who is 21 years of age, prior to the war was in the scholastic profession.” He joined the forces in December 1916 after Cousin George had been killed.    This long-running problem had the last of the loose ends tied up on 11^th September 2009 by accidentally finding this report when looking for a citation for an award to another Old Boy. There now remains details of his own military career to be found.