Last Posts – Musings on Militarism, Commemoration, and the First World War

Cheshire Regiment…

From Somme to Soissons

7 May 202120 Apr 2023

The Capture of La Boisselle1st – 4th July 1916 For a brief overview of the preparation and aims of the Battle of the Somme see here https://lastposts.blog/2018/12/07/somme-myth-conceptions-part-i/ The Cheshire Regiment’s…

First World War…

Private Harry Earl

8 May 20238 May 2023

Harry Earl was born around 1892 to Alfred and Emma Earl in the hamlet of Raby, in Cheshire. He was the older brother of my great-grandfather, Edwin Earl, and resided…

Cheshire Regiment…

Chester and the First World War

20 Sep 202121 Sep 2021

At the outbreak of the First World War in the summer of 1914, Herbert Kitchener, Britain’s Secretary of State for War, predicted that the coming conflict with Germany and her…

Cheshire Regiment…

“Where are our Boys To-Night?”

10 Sep 202011 Sep 2020

by Clare Dorning (Authoress of "Annals of a Lancashire Village, etc.) “Where are our boys to-night?” My friend the photographer asked me the question, as he showed me a picture…

Cheshire Regiment…

Gunner E. Earl: Cheshires on the Somme

27 Apr 202026 Mar 2021

Disclaimer: Since I published this blog post I have come into the possession of new information derived from primary source materials kindly sent to me by a user on the…

First World War…

Willaston Man Falls in Action

24 Apr 202027 Apr 2020

The above soldier enlisted at the age of 17 1/2 years, was trained at Colchester, and was drafted to France in March, 1917. He was wounded on Sept.…

Cheshire Regiment…

Driver J. H. Archer

Driver J.H. Archer, eldest son of James Archer, of Sunnylake, Neston, joined the Cheshire Field Co., R.E., in 1914, and is now somewhere in France. He was educated at Willaston…

Cheshire Regiment…

Driver H. Mort

24 Apr 202024 Apr 2020

Driver H. Mort, of Hargrave Cottage, Willaston, is attached to the 3-1 Cheshire Field Co., R.E. Although records are sparse, I believe Harry Mort was born around 1890…

Cheshire Regiment…

G. Astbury

Private G. Astbury belongs to the 18th Service Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment, now somewhere in France. He formerly worked at Lever's. George E. Astbury was born in…

Cheshire Regiment…

Biletted Officer Receives Military Cross

21 Apr 202021 Apr 2020

Amongst the names of those receiving awards for bravery at the front appears that of Temp. Second-Lieut. Samuel Spedding John, of the 9th Cheshires Regt. Lieut. John was with…