William Edward Barber - Killed in action 1st July 1916
Private William Barber (Service no. 17287) served with the 20th (Service) Battalion (5th City), The Manchester Regiment, 22nd Brigade, 7th Division. The battalion was raised in Manchester on 8th November 1914 and had basic training at Morecambe, before moving to Grantham in April 1915 and then onto Lark Hill for further training. He served with 5 Platoon, ‘B’ Company.
He was employed at the CWS Soap Works and had been the secretary of Irlam Conservative Club. He was the only son of Mr and Mrs Edward Barber of 544 Liverpool Road, Irlam. His father was one of the first and oldest workmen of the Irlam Urban District Council until his retirement in 1916. William was a promoter of the Brackley Habitation Primrose League and had a large circle of friends.
William enlisted at Manchester in 1914 and disembarked in France on 9th to marry his sweetheart, Florence Hampson of the Fleece Hotel, Leigh, on 7th June 1916. Florence was accompanied by Miss Butterworth of the Boathouse Hotel, Eccles and Mr H. Mills of Glebe Farm, Irlam. Florence was the niece of Mr Hampson of Peel Hill, Astley who was manager of Leigh Brewery and Managing Director of the November 1915. Whilst serving in France, he obtained special leave back to England in order Mather Lane Mills. William and Florence made their home at 536 Liverpool Road, Irlam.
Sadly only three weeks after the wedding, William was killed in action on Saturday, 1st July 1916, aged 28. A comrade, Corporal Andrew Royle (19245), who was also from the district, wrote to the family stating that William had been severely wounded in the attack, on Fricourt, and he was shot dead by a sniper as he made his way back to an Advanced Dressing Station.
In a letter to his widow, another comrade stated that they had entered into action at about 8.30am and William fell mortally wounded within the first half an hour of the battle: ‘He was greatly respected by his comrades who mourned his loss. He was always very cheerful and obliging and fell doing his duty like a true British soldier.’ He is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery near Mametz, Somme, France. Medal Entitlement: 15 Star Trio.
Serving with William Barber in the 20th Battalion were his friends, Sergeant Ernest Beswick (17295) and Privates James Coyle (17325), Hubert Wright (32438), John Taylor (13604), George Scott (17479), Arthur Oldham (17447), Alf Rogerson (17473), and William Furness (17351) and James Taylor (17503).
William Furness
Private William Furness (Service no. 17351) served with the 20th (Service) Battalion (5th City), The Manchester Regiment, 22nd Brigade, 7th Division.
Like his friend, William Barber, William was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Saturday, 1st July 1916. He is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz. Medal Entitlement: 15 Star Trio.
