19th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers

[Guest gmw13]

My Great-Grandad died in November 1916, I know His Army number, rank. Is there any way I can find out what exactly happened to him, or any more details I may not already have. Any help would be fantastic.

[John_Hartley]

Is there any way I can find out what exactly happened to him, or any more details I may not already have.

Yes. If you go to the mother site (click the Long Long Trail link top left of this page) and read the research section, it'll tell you how to go about finding out everything you need to know.

Asssuming that he was killed outright on the day he died, then you should be able to find out what his Battalion was doing. There is a published History of the Lancashire Fusiliers which you should be able to access via your local library (they may need to do an inter-library loan). Perhaps an easier option will be the book "Salford Pals" by Michael Stedman (widely available). The 19th was the 3rd Pals Battalion.

Books normally cover major attacks and so on. If he was killed on a "normal day" in the trenches, you would need to access the War Diary held by the National Archives. This isnt yet available on-line so you would need to visit the NA to read it (or request them to photocopy the relevenet bits)

John

[PhilB]

LILLAS, PATRICK

Initials: P

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Lancashire Fusiliers

Unit Text: 19th Bn.

Age: 46

Date of Death: 25/11/1916

Service No: 17454

Additional information: Husband of Bridget Lillas, of 6, Clare St., Salford, Manchester.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: I. J. 34.

Cemetery: FONCQUEVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

The battalion was at Souastre at the time. Phil B