One of my many jobs on the project is to confirm the names to be added to the new panels to go behind the current War Memorial cross in Astley Park. Since the New Year, research has confirmed eight names to be added to the list – it is now approaching the 700 mark.
A bit disappointed that a couple of people think we can add all the names from Chorley Borough (villages and all) onto the proposed 16 panels; that would mean over 4,000 names on something like 72 panels and virtually quadruple the cost (besides duplicating names already on village / parish memorials). I was pleased to confirm to one Chorley lady this week that her relative, Private William Farnworth killed in 1916 is on the list; further research showed he worked on Chorley Railway Station (as did Chorley Pal casualty, Joseph A. Thompson).
Brinscall War Memorial
I was delighted to see the name of Private James Sykes MM, who was killed in WW1, added to Brinscall village War Memorial recently. Back in 2010, Barbara Pearson from Wheelton, a relative of James Sykes, got in touch with me.
Contrary to what was in a local press article, I did all the research for her and she joined me on my coach trip to northern France in May 2011 to pay respects to the brave soldier from Brinscall; he has no known grave but is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial on the Somme battlefield.
Early this year Barbara contacted me again to see if his name was to go on the new memorial panels in Astley Park, but coming from one of the outlying villages he did not qualify. Instead, I put Barbara in touch with Brinscall Parish Council. I was happy to help Barbara and she has sent me a very nice thank you e-mail.
I had started doing the book about the project but other elements have meant it has been put down my list of priorities; probably not get published now until 2013. Researched and designed an illustrated talk about the Royal Ordnance Factory down at Euxton; not much left to see now that it is under the new houses and commercial units Buckshaw Village.
Lots going on behind the scenes; won’t leave it so long before I do another blog.
Steve Williams
See also:
- Chorley Council: Name of war hero added to Brinscall cenotaph
