Private Edward Mitchell.
21730 1/4th Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Killed in Action 13th August 1918, aged 22.
(Brother William Mitchell was killed 22nd April 1917.)
In the 1911 census the family lived at 9 Croft St, Burnley. Elizabeth 43 born in Sunderland, Durham, William 20 born in Bolton, Ethel 17, born in Manchester, Edward 15 born in Bolton, Florence 13 born in Padiham and Doris 8 born in Burnley. His mother had one child who died in infancy.
Edward enlisted on the 19th Nov 1915, he gave his address as 66 Garden St, Burnley and his occupation as Bottle Blower. On varies forms he gave his next of kin as either his Mother Elizabeth of 14 Holton St, of Oxford St or his uncle Isiah Fledgley of Garden St. He was on the home fron until 21st July 1916 when he was posted to France. He was in Hospital in Boulogne on the 5th Nov 1916, cause unknown and again for a gun shot wound on the 31st July 1917.
From the Burnley Express dated 21st August 1918: BROTHER AND FIANCÉ KILLED.
Miss Beamer, of 14 Roebuck Street Burnley, on Sunday received the sad intimation that her fiancé Private E Mitchell, of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment was killed on the evening of August 11th by a shell. The unfortunate soldier was 22 years of age, and previous to joining the colours in November 1915, was in the employ of Messrs Bishop, Glassworks, Marlborough Street Burnley, and was formerly connected with Fulledge Wesleyan Sunday school. He went out in July 1916.
Miss Beamer has received the following letter from his pal, A W J Batty; "it is with the deepest regret I write to inform you of the death of Ted. He was killed instantly by a Shell in the execution of his duty on the evening of the 11th. He asked me to write to you if anything happened to him, as we were the best of chums, and have been runners together for a long time. I came with him from another Battalion and I can assure you I have lost a good pal. If there is anything further you would like to know I will be only too pleased to do anything for you. I may add he was liked by all the section for his cheerfulness and jokes. I close with deepest sympathy from the runners section."
Private George Lord a Burnley soldier, of the same regiment, corroborates the news in a letter to Miss Beamer. A brother of the deceased soldier, Corporal William Mitchell of the Loyal North Lancashire, fell in action in April 1917. This is also Miss Beamer’s second loss as her brother, Private E Beamer, of the Machine Gun Section, was killed on the 17th of November 1917.
Lived at 34 Vernon Street .
Edward left his effects to his mother Elizabeth, which included, letters, photos, post cards, cigarette holder, wallet, watch, chain and case and a cap badge.
Edward was buried in Houchin British Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; II.B.2 . Son of Elizabeth Mitchell, of 13, Hampden St., Burnley, Lancs.
