Bombardier Herbert Edmondson

L/17493 Royal Field Artillery 31st Trench Mortar Btty.

Died 12th August 1916, aged 28.

 

 

 

Herbert was born 28 July, and baptised in St Mary's church Burnley on the 5th Aug 1888, the son of Robert Whittaker Edmondson and Margaret Alice Ryan. His Godparents were William  Edmondson and Eliza Foden.

In the 1891 Census,  the family consisted of, Rbt.  W Edmondson 31 spinner, Margaret  Edmondson 27 Cotton winder, James 7, William 5, Herbert  2, Joseph 6 months, living at 100 Albert St.

1901 Census,  the family consisted of, Rbt  41 newsagent, Margaret  37, James 17 apprentice painter, William 15 apprentice plumber, Herbert  12 newsboy, Joseph 10, Leo 7, Mary  5, Bernard  3, Thomas 8 months,  living at 13 Lyndhurst Rd, Burnley.

In the March quarter Herbert married Eleanor Thornton in Burnley.

1911 Census showed Herbert 22 Warehouseman and Eleanor 22 weaver living with a Absalom Thornton (possibly the father of Eleanor) at 63 Coal Clough Lane Burnley,

 

From the Burnley News 26 June 1915;

Another striking instance of a Burnley family’s patriotism is provided by the five sons of Mr Robert Edmondson newsagent, Olympia St two of whom were in Australia at the outbreak of the war - who have responded to the call to service of King and Country. The eldest of the five Mr. Jas Whittaker Edmondson is 30 years of age, married with four children. He had been in Australia about six years, but on the outbreak of the war along with his brother, Mr William Wilson Edmondson aged 27 who had been with him in that country for about 5 years, he joined the Australian contingent, and is now fighting in defence of the motherland. The third son, Herbert Edmondson aged 26  whose wife resides in Coal Clough-lane, joined Lord Derby’s County Palatine Brigade, and he is training in St. Annes, while another, Leo Aloyious Edmondson aged 22, is at Sheerness. The youngest of the five, Bernard Vaughan Edmondson is 19 years of age and training with the Royal Welsh Field Artillery in Wales.

 

From the Express and Advertiser dated 23 Aug 1916;

SECOND BROTHER KILLED: CHAPLAIN'S NEWS OF BURNLEY BOMBADIER;

 By a letter from a Roman Catholic Chaplain at the front, Mrs H Edmondson, residing at 63 Coal Clough Lane, Burnley,  has been informed of the death of her husband, Bombardier Herbert Edmondson, 17493, of the R F A., and which took place in action on Aug. 12th. The letter dated last Thursday and received Sunday is as follows:- " Dear Mrs Edmondson, - doubtless you will have already heard officially of the death of your husband, Bombardier Edmondson R F A., which took place Aug 12th. He was killed in the trenches while up with his trench mortar battery and I myself buried him in the little British Cemetery two days later. May our blessed Lord and his Holy Mother help to console you and assist you to hear this heavy blow. I knew your husband well and am quite confident that he was ready to meet his maker. Only last week before his death I saw him just before he went into the trenches and he went down having first taken care that he was at peace with god. It is a blow which one cannot but feel deeply, but we ought to try and console ourselves with the thought that he died in the defence of his home and country. Greater love than this no man hath than he should lay down his life for his friends. I said mass for your husband yesterday morning, the feast of the Assumption and shall continue to remember him in my poor prayers. Accept my deepest sympathy in your great sorrow and believe me, yours sincerely, Richard H Lynch, R C Chaplain - P S. The grave is marked with a cross giving his name and date of death" Mrs Edmondson has not yet received official notification, but the above news is definite. The deceased soldier who was 28 years of age and who worked for Messrs Parkinson and sons wholesale druggist, enlisted in May last year. After being in Egypt 3 months, he was transferred to France and had been there about 4 months, being attached lately to the trench mortar section. He had been married about 5 years and leaves a wife but no children. He was a most estimable young man and was connected with St Mary Magdalene's Roman Catholic Church and a member of the choir there. One of his brothers J W Edmondson serving with the Australians, was killed at the Dardanelles last year.

 

From The Express and Advertiser dated 26th August 1916:  A REAL WHITE MAN. OFFICER AND BURNLEY NCO.

Mrs Edmondson of 68 Coal Clough Lane Burnley, whose husband Bombardier Herbert Edmondson, of the RFA was killed in action on August 12th, has received a sympathetic letter from his officer Lieutenant H W Lucy. Bombardier Edmondson's photo and biography appeared in our issue of Wednesday. Lieutenant Lucy writes: " I very much regret that I have to inform you that your husband number 17493 Bombardier Edmondson was killed in action yesterday. He was in the trenches when a shell fell near and he was badly wounded. Providentially he was unconscious when picked up and died a short while after. You will be relieved in a measure to know that he suffered no pain. He was the best NCOI had and was as fearless as a lion. I do not think he knew what fear was. It is a most painful duty to have to inform you of your irreparable loss and I cannot say how grieved I am to have lost such a splendid fellow. His comrades pay him the greatest compliment any man could be paid. They all say "he was a real White man". Please accept my sincerest sympathy in your very sad bereavement. His comrades wish me to tender you on their behalf their sympathies in your great loss also."

 

Herbert  left £9 4s 2d to his sole legatee Eleanor Edmondson and she was later in 1919 given a war gratuity of £6. His army will states: In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my wife Mrs H Edmondson 63 Coal Clough Lane, Burnley. Signed H Edmondson R F A.

 

From the Burnley News dated Sat 14 June 1919;

 

 FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT: IMPRESSIVE CATHOLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE AT BURNLEY: 72 FALLEN HEROES:

One of the most impressive memorial services ever held in Burnley took place at ST Mary Magdalene's Church , Haslam St on Weds evening, when a special service was conducted  in memory of 72 members of the congregation who gave their lives for King and Country in the war. The church was crowded; the congregation being very large composed of the immediate relatives of the men whose memory the service was held. A catafalque draped with the Union Jack, on which was placed a soldiers helmet had been erected on the altar and was surrounded by lighted candles. A fortnight’s mission conducted by Fr. Charles Cooksey, S J of Leeds and Fr. Thomas McPhillips, S J of Leigh is present in progress at St Mary Magdalene’s and at the service on Wed evening the mission Fathers officiated. The service opened with a recitation of the rosary followed by a short address by Fr. McPhillips S J. -  THE ROLL OF HONOUR

: The Rev Fr. Cooksey, S J delivered a most impressive discourse which he prefaced by reading the following list of the names of men of St Mary Magdalene’s Church who made the great sacrifice:- Killed in action Pte Wm E Barry, 1st E Lancs; Lance Corporal John Borman, 1st E Lancs; Pte Thomas Callaghan 1/4 R Scots Fus; Pte Lawrence Clarke, Scottish rifles; Pte Albert Clarkson, R F C; Pte John Ed Cor 2nd E Lancs; Pte Michael Desmond, 1st Leicestershires; Pte A Diamond 1st E Lancs; Pte Chas Doran 2/6 E Lancs; Pte Harry Dougherty, 19th Kings Liverpool; Pte William Dougherty, 11th E Lancs; Pte Richard Dunne, 1st E Lancs; Bugler Jas Eckersley, 5th E Lancs; Bomb. Herbert Edmondson, T M B R F A; Gnr Joseph Fairclough R F A; Pte John Feligan, 8th Kings Liverpool; Pte Wm. Flynn E Lancs; Drummer Anthony Flannagan, Pte Joseph Gaynor, Lcpl Irish K L R; Pte John Gladstone, E Lancs; Pte John Hanrahan, A Cyc C; Pte Thomas Hewittson, 7th K O R Lancs; Drummer Jas E Holland 6th K O R lancs; Pte Walter Howarth 1/5 E Lancs; Pte John Hulton, 9th Scottish Rifles; Pte William Johnson 3rd E Lancs; Pte H McCarrick 11th Lanc Fus K B S; L Cp Thomas Mitchell, 1st E Lancs; L/cp H Marshall, Lancs Fus; Pte Hubert Mondy, 2nd Lancs Fus; Pte Patrick Moran, M G C; Pte J H Marsh, 1st E Lancs; Pte George Middleton, 16th Lancs Fus; Pte Anthony O'Neill, R Iriah Rifles; Pte Hubert Parker, 11th E Lancs; Gnr James Riley, R F A; Pte John Jas Robinson, 2/5th E Lancs; Sergt Chas Edgar Salmon, E Lancs; Pte Sam Sharples, E Lancs; Pte Wm Singleton 11th E Lancs; Pte Thomas Smith Welsh Reg; Pte Henry Smith, 2nd E Lancs; Pte H Tarren 1/7th Lancs Fus; Pte Walter Taylor, Scottish rif; Bomb John Thomas 158th Bn R F A; Pte A Wilson 1st E Lancs. Died of wounds: Pte Jack Allen 1/4 L N Lancs; Pte James Boland 7th E Lancs; Pte H Entwistle, 5th E LAncs; Pte Sam Fairclough, 6th L N Lancs; Pte Wm. Fairclough, 1/4 L N Lancs; L/cp Thomas Francis 2nd Manch; Pte Thomas Hy Howard S Wales Bord.; Cpl J A Jackson 7th E Lancs; Pte Fred Kearns, 11th E Lancs; Pte Henry Rushton, 2/4 E Lancs P O W; Pte Chas Smith 1st E Lancs P O W; Pte Arthur Taylor 8th E Lancs; L/Cp John Taylor, E Lancs; L/Cp John Taylor , E Lancs; Torpedoed:  Pte Chas Wm Crane, R A M C, H M H S Royal Edward; Sgt Ernest Howarth, R A M C, H M H S Royal Edward;  Sgt Patrick Kindall, R A M C H M H S Royal Edward; Ship's cook John F Murphy, H M S Hawke; Died of disease:  Pte Thomas McIntyre Labour C; Pte John Thomas Johnson, R D C; Gnr J E Moor, R G A; Ferrier S Sgt Alf Stowe, A S C; Missing (presume killed):  Pte James Atherton, 1st E Lancs; Pte james Dunleavy, 2nd Scottish rifles; Pte John Mulrooney, 7/8th R Irish Fus. Died since discharge:  Cpl John Donovan, Na. Res and Lab Bn aged &1yrs. EARLY RUSH FOR SERVICE: Fr. Cooksey said that night the congregation of St Mary Magdalene’s mourned 72 of its people, practically 3% of its members, it was a heavy toll. When they look back on these last five years, it was well that they should be faced at least once with the fact that such a large number had perished from amongst them. They went forth in the early days of the war. In that congregation as in practically every catholic congregation in England, the Military Service Act made little difference except to the young men who were coming on to 18. They were proud of the fact that the Catholic’s of this country, taken as a body, did not wait for conscription and the result was that of those now in the army the younger men alone showed a good many Catholics. More Catholics had been discharged from the army because there were more there first; more had got their discharge by reason of their long service and the result was that at the present moment he was assured by a Chaplain who had just come from it the proportion of Catholics in the peace army was remarkably small, just as in the war it was remarkably large. The doings of those regiments which contained the largest proportions of Catholics equalled the doings of any of the most gallant troops who served at the front and they were proud of their dead. They delighted to honour them and they must never forget them. They had collected in 10 days in that parish 72 names and there was a number of others yet to come in. They included young and old -  a bugler and two drummer boys and the last on the list, old John Donovan who when nearly 70 managed to pass as an able bodied man and served abroad for many months before the secret came out that he was at the end of the ordinary span of human life. SPLENDID COMRADESHIP: There was only one reason why those men served -  because they thought it was their duty. They were fighting for those they left behind, and they fought the good fight and they fought it well. Whatever men might say of the various phases of the campaign, whatever blame might be laid to leaders at home or abroad: whatever the recriminations, politicians and generals might have between one another, the very enemy themselves acknowledged that the rank and file of the men was splendid. Splendid in fight, splendid in comradeship, sharing and sharing alike, splendid in the cheerfulness with which they underwent those terrible hardships in the first unprepared winter in the trenches and all subsequent mud and snow the cold and dry weather, when there was a lack of water to drink though the men were standing in water to the knees, how they helped one another, the risks they took for one another -  they were all splendid. And in that working class congregation of St Mary Magdalene's with not an officers name and but few Sgt's on the list, they could truly say that those men had nobly earned through their fidelity to death the tribute everyone gave them - splendid. DUTY FAITHFULLY DONE:  They were not all perfect, many of them had their faults but they did their duty to god for country and king. They read of those gallant fellows willingly laying down their lives, sometimes directly to save a wounded comrade and always doing their duty manfully and contributing to the great victory which their blood and exertions won. They willingly laid down their lives for their friend, the greatest love that any man could show. They were Catholics all their lives - doing their duty faithfully and well until death. Fr. Cooksey asked the congregation to remember those men in their prayers before the altar and while reciting the Rosary in church or in their own homes. Let them always remember those 72 who were of their own town, of their own church and baptised in that font where their own children were baptised. let them remember that they died for each one of them, that they might enjoy the peace they were so patiently waiting for. Fr. Cooksey warned the congregation against those people who were trying to embarrass the negotiators who were making superhuman efforts to bring the warring nations to reason. The 3% of the congregation who had made the great sacrifice was not merely the average in that church but were the average in practically every Catholic Church all over the country. A LASTING PEACE:  He urged Catholics throughout the country to pray earnestly that the efforts of the negotiators might result in a most honourable and lasting peace. He prayed that God in his mercy might grant rest to the souls of those 72 men who laid down their lives for them and his thought this congregation to hand on from one generation to another the names of those men from St Mary Magdalene's Church who had sacrificed themselves for, those yet unborn for every breath of peace drawn from this time henceforth had been paid for by the blood of those men. Let them therefore not listen to those who would ........ (rest unreadable).

Herbert lived at 63 Coal Clough Lane, Burnley

Herbert is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France:  Grave Ref; IV. A 24.

 

Herbert's gravestone at Le Touret

 

 

This article copyright © George Coppock