WW1 – 100 years ago...

At the centenary of the start of WW1 in 2014 it was the intention that I would write an account of events affecting Audlem as the war progressed. This turned out to be too big a task although there is an excellent resource in 'Where the fallen live forever' by Mark Potts and Tony Marks which goes through the whole thing in chronological order from the point of view of Crewe and District and includes any Audlem references. Media interest has just surged again with the centenary of the start of the battle of Passchendaele or third battle of Ypres.

I have opened the above book again and find that no Audlem man is recorded as killed on the first day, July 31st 1917 so I continued into August 1917.

Capt. John Vaughan (I think he was one of our Fire brigade) was awarded the Military Cross following his actions in May 13/14th attacking the German lines.

Two Audlem men died on August 1st 1917 (the 2nd day of the new offensive), 26415 Pte. Herbert Joseph Parker of the 10th Bn Cheshire Regt age 25 and 54392 Pte. Frederick Stockton of the 16th Bn Welsh Regt were killed in action during the battle of Pilckem Ridge. Their names are on the Menin Gate memorial.

Herbert was born in Dodcott and his parents lived at Ivy House Wilkesley, he is commemorated on the Burleydam memorial. Frederick was born in Audlem but resided in Buerton and is commemorated on that memorial. Both surnames are still in the village, do the families claim these heroes?

Thanks to the authors of the above book for presenting the information in such an easy format.

More may follow in September.

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