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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Ellen Preece, munitions worker


PaulC78

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I saw some recent posts about Ellen Preece in another topic, so having done some research about a year ago thought I'd post my findings here...

Birth & Baptism

Born: 18 March 1895 (registered at Chorley)

Baptised: 5 May 1895, St George, Chorley

Parents: John & Ann Preece, farmer, 2 Emily Street

1901 Census

Cocklade Lane, Hale:
John Preece, head, 34, teamsman on farm, born Shrewsbury
Annie Preece, wife, 30, born Chorley
Florence Preece, daughter, 7, born Chorley
Ellen Preece, daughter, 6, born Chorley
Elizabeth Preece, daughter, 4, born Chorley
Miriam Preece, daughter, 2, born Speke
John Preece, daughter, 1 month, born Hale

1911 Census

Moss End Farm, Aughton:
Thomas Woodcock, head, 60, farmer, born Aughton
Catherine Mary Woodcock, daughter, 28, house keeper, born Aughton
James Edward Woodcock, son, 23, working on farm, born Aughton
Elizabeth Maud Woodcock, daughter, 19, born Aughton
Ellen Preece, servant, 16, general servant, born Chorley

Grave Yard Cottage, Bickerstaffe:
John Preece, head, 41, horseman on farm, born Shrewsbury
Ann Preece, wife, 39, born Chorley
Florence Preece, daughter, 17, kitchen maid, born Chorley
Ellen Preece, daughter, 16, farm servant, born Chorley
(names crossed out on census)
Elizabeth Preece, daughter, 15, farm servant, born Chorley
Mariam Preece, daughter, 12, at school, born Mawdesley
John Preece, son, 10, at school, born Hale
Henry Preece, son, 8, at school, born Bickerstaffe
James Preece, son, 3, born Bickerstaffe

Death Certificate

23 July 1918, Amatol factory, Netherton, Sefton

Ellen Preece, female, 23

of Carlton Villa, Aughton; spinster; shell examiner; daughter of John Preece, farm labourer

Killed by the explosion of a six inch shell; misadventure

Certificate receievd from S. Brighouse, coroner for Lancashire; inquest held 1 August 1918

Burial

27 July 1918, Christ Church, Aughton

Also named on Aughton war memorial.

I was wondering if anyone has any information about the incident at Netherton in which she was killed? I've checked the Ormskirk and Bootle newspapers of that time but there don't appear to be any reports of what happened.

EllenPreecegrave_zps0da473ac.jpg

Aughtonwarmemorial_zps3fbb5e33.jpg

OrmskirkAdvertiser1Aug1918_zpsa052febb.j

OrmskirkAdvertiser24July1919_zps3b20e6c5

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Nice bit of research. Perhaps the Inquest Report is still available for that should give a lot more information as to the circumstances of the explosion.

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  • 2 years later...
  • 1 year later...

An upcoming exhibition at Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk will tell the story of local women during WW1, and Ellen Preece will be one of those featured:

 

http://chapelgallery.org.uk/exhibitions/

 

In addition, the church where she is buried have only recently become aware of the grave and have expressed an interest in having the headstone repaired.

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