'During This Month in History'

July was a particularly catastrophic month for 'Tattenhall Lads' during the years of the Great War. At least 4 individuals lost their lives. They are all remembered near to where they fell and their names are also recorded on the Tattenhall War Memorial.

Lieutenant Roger Christian Brierley of the Cheshire Regiment was the youngest son of our long-serving village doctor, Thomas Booth Brierley. Lieutenant Roger Christian Brierley died on 14 July 1917. He was 44 years old. He is buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery, west of Ypres.

Second Lieutenant John Ankers of the 218th Squadron of the RAF was reported missing and is believed to have died on 16 July 1918. He is remembered on the Arras Flying Services Memorial.

Lance Corporal George Roberts of the Cheshire Regiment died on 28 July 1918. He was 26 years old. Documents, reveal that Lance Corporal George Roberts' mother requested the following personal inscription be placed on the headstone of her son's grave 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends'. Lance Corporal George Roberts is buried at Denain Communal Cemetery.

Second Lieutenant Samuel Hatten Field served with the South Lancashire Regiment and died in Flanders Fields on 31 July 1917. He was 20 years old. Second Lieutenant Samuel Hatten Field is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres. The Menin Gate bears the names of over 54,000 British and Commonwealth men for whom there are no known graves.