Private John Flaherty.
5152 1st Lancashire Fusiliers.
Died 28th February 1917, aged 27
John was born in the March quarter of 1890, Burnley. The son of John Flaherty and Annie Burns. In the 1891 census the family lived at 63 Marlborough St, Burnley. John 32, Annie 30, Andrew 4, Margaret 2, John 1 and two boarders, Richard Mulloy and John Kilroy all living in 4 rooms.
In the 1991 census the family were residing at 7 Hughes St, Burnley. John 53 weaver born in Stalybridge Cheshire, Annie 50 born in Wolverhampton, Margaret 22 weaver, John 21 moulders labourer, Mary 17 weaver and Herbert 16 weaver, all born in Burnley. His parents had been married 25 years and had had 7 children 2 of whom had died.
John married Ellen Wilcock in the Dec quarter of 1911.
Enlisted at Rochdale, Lancashire in September 1914
From the Burnley Express dated 14th March 1917: NEVER SAW HIS BABY.
Yesterday morning Mrs Flaherty of 25 Richard Street Burnley was officially informed that her husband private John Flaherty 5152 of the Lancashire Fusiliers, was killed in action on February 28th. Private Flaherty formerly worked at the Calder Vale Mill, Cornholme, and then listed early in the September following the Outbreak of War. He would have been at the front 12 months if he had lived till next Thursday. He leaves two children, the younger of whom he never saw, the baby being born on September 12th whilst the father was on Active Service. He was connected with St Marys Roman Catholic Church. Two have his brothers are serving in......................
Husband of Ellen Flaherty, of 82, Yorkshire St., Burnley.
John left his effects to his widow Ellen.
John is commmemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Panels 3C &3D.
Photo courtesy of George Coppock, 2024