Frederick and Samuel THELWALL

Many brothers fought during the Great War and sadly some didn't return. Two of them were the Frederick and Samuel Thelwall, the only children of Charles and Hannah Maria. At the time of the 1911 census they are both living at home Fred is working as a Cotton Textile Weaver and Samuel is a Textile Warehouse Boy, probably at the local Hollins Mill.

Fred enlisted Hyde in February 1916 and whilst on embarkation leave in June he married Annie Wooley. He joined his Battalion near Thiepval, on 25th July. During the night of 26th / 27th, whilst in the process of digging a new trench, the Cheshire's came under artillery fire. and Fred was injured by shrapnel. Unfortunately he died of his wounds the next day, after spending just 3 days at the front.

Just over a year later Charles and Hannah were told their youngest son had also been killed. Sam also enlisted in the Cheshire's at Hyde, and in 1917 went overseas with them, but was transferred to the Shropshire's. On the 24th October the battalion were positioned North of the Menin Road near the town of Ypres, during the day they had 11 wounded, 1 killed and 1 missing. Sam was the one listed as missing, his body was never found.

They are remembered on Marple War Memorial and All Saints War Memorial, also on their grandmothers grave at St.Thomas's churchyard in Mellor.

Private 34742 Frederick Joseph THELWALL.

Cheshire Regiment, 10th Bn.

Died of wounds 28 Jul 1916, age 23.

Buried Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Plot II. Row B. Grave 3.

Private 26454 Samuel THELWALL.

King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 5th Bn.

Died 25 Oct 1917, age 20 .

Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 112 to 113.