Private William Gaskell

Service Number: 20333

"B" Coy. 1st Bn. East Lancashire Regiment

Died of Wounds 22nd May 1917, aged 21

Son of Mr G. H. & Mrs R. Gaskell, 53 Evelyn Street, Burnley

From the Burnley Express dated 2nd June 1917:  SOLDIER'S SON AND SCOUT LEADER.  A Brave Lad

The Burnley Y.M.C.A. members have lost a splendid comrade by the death of Pte. William Gaskell, 20333, East Lancashire Regiment, who died on May 22nd in a casualty clearing station, from wounds received in action on May 10th.  He was the son of a soldier, and was born at Enniskillen whilst his father was in the Regular Army, but the family came to Burnley when the deceased was eleven years of age.  The lad's one hobby ever since was the Scout movement, and he became attached to the Y.M.C.A. Troop, of which he was Assistant Scoutmaster.

His father Sergt. Gaskell served with the 2nd Loyal North Lancashires, and was stationed at Gibraltar during the South African War.  After that compaign was over his regiment relieved some of the fighting forces, and he was in South Africa for some time at Wynberg.  He is now serving as a drill instructor in his old regiment at Oswestry, doing his duty as an old soldier.

His boy William, the eldest and only one of military age, carried out his Scout principles, for he joined the forces in 1915, when he was 19 years of age.  He went out within three months, and has been through all the engagements in which his battalion have taken part.  Previously he was a tape labourer at H. Walton's Coronation Mill, and he was connected with St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Ivy Street, and a fine and popular young man. He was home last Christmas on furlough and returned on January 4th.  He had just made up 21 years of age.

Sister Schofield, writing on May 13 from the 84th Casualty Clearing Station, informed Mrs. Gaskell of the extremely critical condition of her son, who was admitted on the 11th wounded by shrapnel in the head and right knee, each wound requiring an operation.  The surgeon feared there was no chance: he was delirious and mentioned his mother and father.   On the 19th the Sister reported there was no change, and on the 22nd she wrote: - "Your son died here this morning at 9.45.  It must be a dreadful blow to you all.  I know, as he was just one of the finest boys one could possibly nurse."

Captain Daly has written: - "I regret to inform you that your son died of wounds.  He was in the trenches with me on 10th May, and about 8.30 p.m. he was hit by shrapnel in the head and leg.  I saw him bandaged up, and he was quite cheery and did not appear to be badly hit.  I sent him off to the dressing station at once, and I did not hear anything more about him until this afternoon, when I received a note to say he died of his wounds.  Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in your great loss and trouble, and also the sympathy of all the men in my company, where he was most popular and liked by all.  Your son and myself have been together since April, 1916, and I know him thoroughly well, and I am very sorry to lose him and hear of his death."

Pte. P. Ridge had previously sent word that Pte. Gaskell was wounded.

Buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France:  III. G. 1