Military historian Richard Houghton personal tribute to some of West Lancashire’s war dead

Sep 20 2012 by Gary Bainbridge, Ormskirk Advertiser

THIS week we remember four West Lancashire men who all fell in the month of September during WWI.

Private John Forshaw, 30933, of 13th Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regt was killed in action on September 15, 1918. The Lathom man has no grave.

The Advertiser reported that Pte Forshaw was wounded and lay in a forward trench for three days before being found by the Germans, and taken prisoner. He had his leg amputated while in hospital and died from his wounds.

Sergeant Henry Edward Halsall, 13482, 12th (Service) Kings (Liverpool) Regt was killed in action on September 16, 1916.

The 39-year-old was buried at Guards Cemetery Lesboeufs.

He was the son of John and Ellen Halsall, of Liverpool Road, Burscough, and worked at Sefton house as head gardener.

St John the Baptist parish magazine recorded his death.

Sergeant James Henry Halsall,25, of 989 5th Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was killed in action on June 19 1915.

He was buried at White City Cemetery, Bois Grenier.

Private John Edward Walker 36710 10th (Service) was declared dead or wounded on September 13, 1918.

He was commemorated on Vis en Artois Memorial.

Pte Walker was the son of Burscough man Stanley Walker.

The circumstances surrounding his death are uncertain and he has no known grave.

Pte Walker became the focal point for my campaign to have 38 Burscough “missing men” commemorated, back in 2003, after four years of research.

My memories are as fresh today as then, and again my thanks go to Cliff Birchall and Gary Stewart for the never-ending support and also to Burscough Parish Council, not least to David Lea and family.