Mark Abbott Posted 4 November , 2007 Share Posted 4 November , 2007 I have recently been fortunate enough to purchase the 1914-15 Star trio to 3135 Pte John Halewood 1/9th KLR. John (known as Jack) was born in Scarisbrick, Lancashire on the 16.11.1890, the son of Adam and Margery Halewood. Adam was a master shoe maker and it was in this trade that the young Jack started his working life. He worked for many years for A local woman, Mrs Livesey who ran a boot and shoe making business in Scarisbrick. He joined the 9th Kings at Ormskirk prior to the out break of the war and accompanied his battalion to Francein the early months of 1915, being present at the battle of Loos. A letter from him concerning the battle appears in the Ormskirk Advertiser on the 18th November 1915. In additiion to this letter, a poem entitled "Somebody's Soldier Boy" appeared in the "Advertiser" in 1916. "Somewhere in the fighting line, There's a soldier boy Thinking of his home and friends And he thinks of them with joy It was for their sake he left them His duty it was clear He must go to fight for England, His home and loved ones dear He'd no regret, nor any care, His heart was staunch and true, He knew that England called him, She had work for him to do. He left his home, his mother dear, Her blessing on him shed. He left his sweetheart and his friends And o'er the foam he sped. And now he's fighting side by side, With other British sons. His time is spent midst shot and shell And the booming of the guns. He has no fear, he only prays That someday he'll return. Back to that dear old home Whose heart for him does yearn. Back to that dear old country And to all those he holds dear, He knows that they are preying, His heart they are ever near. But wherever he may wander, Or whatever may befall, His thought will ever be of home, His prayer, God bless them all." Jack Hale wood was killed in action at Guillemont on the 12th August 1916, leaving his widowed mother, brothers, sister and sweetheart Maggie. He isi buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery. My sons and I visited his grave recently and my eldest son read the poem; a genuinley moving experience for all of us. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________ Collecting to men of the 55th West Lancashire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryegate Posted 4 November , 2007 Share Posted 4 November , 2007 What a lovely poem, very sad and touching. He joins the many thousands who I am sure, prayed they would return home. Courageous young man Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 4 November , 2007 Share Posted 4 November , 2007 9th King's you say? Never 'eard of 'em! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procat Posted 4 November , 2007 Share Posted 4 November , 2007 9th King's you say? Never 'eard of 'em! SDGW has: John Halewood, Private, 3135 King's (Liverpool Regiment), 9th Battalion Born Ormskirk, Lancs, Enlisted Ormskirk, Residence Scarbrick, Lancs Died 12 August 1916, Killed in action, France 7 Flanders Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 5 November , 2007 Share Posted 5 November , 2007 It was a joke, Doug. See my sig and avatar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Procat Posted 5 November , 2007 Share Posted 5 November , 2007 Sorry Ken, My mum often says that subtlety is beyond me. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 5 November , 2007 Share Posted 5 November , 2007 That's OK, Doug. Mark knows I'm not bitter that he got to the medal group before me. Just wait until he asks me if Halewood had any other poems published Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Abbott Posted 6 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 6 November , 2007 Ken, I was wondering if John Halewood had any other poems published? If so can you assist? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Lees Posted 6 November , 2007 Share Posted 6 November , 2007 Ken, I was wondering if John Halewood had any other poems published? If so can you assist? Mark It's funny you should ask Mark, but yes, he did. Now, if you have any of the tasty Belgian beer left... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Abbott Posted 7 November , 2007 Author Share Posted 7 November , 2007 It's funny you should ask Mark, but yes, he did. Now, if you have any of the tasty Belgian beer left... Ken, It's chilling as I type! See you soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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