2053, Private, John DANIELS
Aged 40
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John DANIELS, born in Wigan in Q4-1873 [Wigan 8c:43] the son of John and Mary Ann DANIELS (née CARR) of Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan.
His mother is believed to have died in Prestwich in Q1-1881. There may
very well have been a change of age around the time of his marriage. The record after his marriage is more certain,prior to that there are many
conflicting records.
1881 census...John [7] was living with his father John [33], widower, a boiler maker born in Wigan, and sister Mary [13] at his Uncle's house (William and Elizabeth HIGHAM), 20 Oxford Street, Wigan. 1891 census...John [17] an apprentice blacksmith, was still with his father(now recorded as married), at his uncle's house but at 14 Turner Street, Wigan. 1901 census...not identified in this census. Married in Q3-1906 in Wigan to Eliza Ann HOY. 1911 census...John was a general labourer, living with his wife Eliza [30] born Liverpool and a boarder ( Eliza's brother ? ) Walter HOY at 9 Grosvenor Yard , Newmarket. Eliza, whose father was an Exning man, re-married as HASELTINE, 36 Schofield Lane, Wigan. John's death(in the Dardanelles) was reported in the Newmarket Journal of 17th July 1915 KILLED IN THE DARDANELLES "Pte. John Daniels, No.2053, of the Wigan Territorials, has been reported killed in the Dardanelles. Pte Daniels had, previous to the war, lived in Newmarket for several years. As a lad he was a member of the Wigan Church Lads Brigade,and when he grew up he joined the Wigan Volunteers, afterwards enlisting in the 2nd Battn. King's Royal Rifles. With that regiment he went through the South African War, and was reported missing, but eventually turned up. Writing on May 31st to a sister who lives at Wigan he said "If John Henry does go to the front don't let your heart down, for it is the duty of every able-bodied man to take up arms to defend his country - that is if he is a true, loyal Englishman. There is nothing to fear in war, only hardship. Some fear death, but they don't need to, for if a man has to die a natural death neither shot nor shell will end his life. That is always my belief. We have been in the trenches over three weeks now, and we've a few killed and wounded, but not many. Give my love to the children and tell them their uncle will return before long." |
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In May 1915, the East Lancashire division landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli to reinforce the British beachheads established during the initial landings in
April. The Manchesters disembarked at "V" and "W", where, in the April landings, there had been at least 2000 casualties. The Manchester battalions took
part in the Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June. The 127th (Manchester) Brigade reached their first objective and advanced a further 1000 yards, capturing 217
Ottomans in the process. A few hours later, the brigade withdrew when an Ottoman counter-attack threatened its flanks. Further fighting took place at the
positions the British had withdrawn to and were soon repulsed after many days fighting. The Manchester regiment suffered over 400 killed on 4th June, 49 from the 1st/5th Battalion, of which only 5 have known graves. |
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission
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