Private Francis Brinkman 1st Bn East Lancs Regiment

Francis Brinkman was born in 1895, the son of Robert and Catherine Brinkman.

Robert was a native of Rochdale, whilst his wife was a Geordie, hailing from Newcastle upon Tyne.

In 1911 the family were living at 7 Sellars Street in Rochdale. 

56 year old Robert was a working at the local gasworks as a labourer, 16 year old Francis was listed as being a scavenger, his younger brother Harold was a 12 year old tenter.

Francis enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment shortly after war was declared, he was severely wounded fighting in the trenches on April 3rd 1916, he sadly passed away from his wounds the following day.

The first news his parents received was in a letter from Sergeant John Stockford, who wrote;

"About one o'clock on April 3rd the platoon were working in the trenches making them deeper when the Germans sent over about three rifle grenades. The second came right into the trench and hit your son and other comrades. Your son said to his chum, "They have got me this time", the officers of my platoon wish him a speedy recovery".

Private Francis Brinkman 1/ELR

Francis did not recover from his injuries, Sgt. Stockford wrote again to his parents, stating that he had been laid to rest in a lovely cemetery just behind the firing line and that his grave had been marked with a cross displaying his name, the date of his death and the nature of how he died, the letter went on;

"Let me convey to you deep sympathy from the officers, non commissioned officers and men of the platoon. Some day you might have an opportunity to visit your sons grave, and if God spares me, I hope it is my pleasure to show you the grave".

Another comrade of Francis' also wrote to his parents, Pte J. Branwell wrote;

"He has been a good mate of mine. He was great favourite and a very good and faithful soldier, being always first to volunteer for any dangerous post". 

John Stockford went on to survive the horrors of the war, he earned the distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, he left the army as a Colour Sergeant Major.

Francis is one of 79 men buried in Humbercamps Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Marriott Family - 3 Brothers Lost

John William Marriott was born near Hadfield, Derbyshire in 1869, in 1892 he married a 
Lincolnshire girl, Naomi Barnes, the couple would go on to have 8 chilldren.

By 1901 there family were living at 7 Townhouse Road in Littleborough, John was a manager in a calico printing works, 10 years later the family had moved to 8 Belfield Lane, Firgrove.

Their children were listed on the census as such;

John born in 1894
Millie born in 1896
Harry born in 1897
William Barnes born in 1899
Stanley born in 1902
Emily born in 1903
Norman born in 1907
Frank born in 1910

The spectre of war soon loomed large and the Marriott men were keen to do their bit for King and Country.

Harry Marriott enlisted into the Border Regiment, serving with the 2nd battalion.

On the evening of September 24th 1915, the 2/Border Regiment formed part of 7th Infantry Division, 20th Brigade together with 2/Gordon Highlanders, 1/6 Gordon Highlanders, 8?Devonshire Regiment and 9/Devonshire Regiment.

At 3.30am on the 25th September the Division received orders that at 5.50am an attack would take place with the assault phase beginning at 6.30am. This battle would become known as the "Battle of Loos", many men would perish on this day.

It was a morning of light drizzle with a light wind blowing from the south west.

The first line would consist of the Gordons and the 8/Devons, the 2/Borders would be in the second line, the 1/6 Gordons in the third line and in reserve would be the 9/Devons.

The Royal Horse Artillery began their bombardment on the stroke of 5.50am, 40 minutes later the first line of infantry left their trenches and began advancing on the German trenches, being replaced in the front line by the 2/Borders including 18 year old Pte. Harry Marriott.

Within 35 minutes the front line of German trenches had been captured, but not without heavy British losses, the 8/Devons lost Colonel Grant and Major Carden killed, and Colonel Stansfield of the Gordons very badly wounded.

The battle raged on and on and countless soldiers on both sides were killed, including Harry Marriott.

John and Naomi received an official telegram from the war office informing of their sons death, the process was destined to be repeated the following year. Harry was never recovered from he battlefield, his name adorns the Loos Memorial together with 57 other men from the 2/Borders who remain lost in foreign fields.

Pte Harry Marriott, 2/Border Regiment

John Marriott enlisted into the army joining the 12th (Service Battalion) of the Rifle Brigade.

At 9am on June 6th 1916 the Germans began shelling the positions occupied by the 12/Rifles, the shelling wasn't particularly heavy and none of the shells hit their intended mark, at 12.30pm the shelling began to become more intense, the Germans were using 5.9" and 4.2 " shells, the severity of shelling became concentrated on parts of the trench system known as A1 and the Gully, at 2pm message was received by company command that Captain Roe had been very badly injured and the telephone dugout at A1 had been blown out and the two operators killed.

The afternoon would bring even more shelling and carnage to both sides.

At 3.15pm a mine was detonated under A1 trench containing a company of 12/Rifles, 2Lt. Messenger and 22 of his platoon were buried by the explosion, including John Marriott.

At around 6pm group HQ was informed that 2Lt Messenger had been dug out alive and efforts were being made to reach the other men.

During the intense fighting on the 6th June, the 12/ Rifles lost 24 other ranks killed and 51 wounded, sadly John Marriott was one of the 24.

Rifleman John Marriotts name adorns the Menin Gate (Ypres) Memorial.

Before enlisting into the army John had worked as a weft carrier at the Lowfield Spinning Company, after his death his parents received a letter from Mr SV Walters, it read;

"In him we lost a true and noble comrade, Jack was one who always did his duty to King and Country. He was very brave, but under the circumstances of his death did not get a fighting chance. I can assure you his death is deeply regretted by all who knew him".

Rifleman John Marriott 12/Rifle Brigade

Two years would pas before bad news would once again come through the door of 13 Belfield Lane.

19 year old William Barnes Marriott, had served as a territorial soldier with the Army Service Corps, he then became an infantryman with the 1/London Regiment.

He was killed in action on October 11th 1918.

Before enlisting William had worked at the Lowfield Spinning Company, he was a member of the choir at St. Anns and also assisted at the Sunday school.

William is one of 225 identified casualties who were laid to rest in Wellington Cemetery, Rieux-de-Cambresis in France.

One can only imagine the heartache felt by the parents of these 3 lads, John William Marriott passed away in 1934 at the age of 66, Naomi lived until she was 80, passing away in 1953.