Herbert HAWORTH

08 June 1917

OFFICER’S TRIBUTE TO BARNOLDSWICK PRIVATE

“Comrades Thought the World of Him.”

The spirit of true comradeship existing between officers and men at the front has seldom been better illustrated than in the following letter, received this week by Mrs. Haworth, 84, Manchester Road, Barnoldswick, in relation to the death from shrapnel wounds of her husband, Private Herbert Haworth, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment:–

B.E.F., May 26.
“Dear Madam, – It is with sincere regret I have to inform you of the death of your husband, Private H. Haworth, as a result of head wounds received on May 20th. I was only one yard from him when it happened. We were holding a post together and had been subjected to heavy shelling all day, but no one was hurt until 2 p.m., when a shrapnel shell burst directly over our post. One man was wounded in the arm, and your husband, who unfortunately was moving about at the time, a piece of shrapnel struck his steel helmet with such force as to penetrate his skull. I did all I could for him in the way of dressing his wound, and sent immediately for the stretcher-bearers, who pluckily came under shell fire and carried him down to the dressing station, but unfortunately the doctor gave no hope for him. He attended to him, however, and then sent him to a more comfortable hospital where he passed away peacefully at 5-0 o’clock the same day (Sunday), without regaining consciousness… I went on Thursday to see your husband’s grave, and if I have the same luck I only hope I may be put in as peaceful a resting place. He is buried just outside the village of St. Leger in a well-kept grave in a row with other fallen heroes of all ranks up to colonel… Your husband had been in my platoon ever since I joined this battalion out here in February, and a more cheerful, willing soldier I can never have the honour of serving with. All his comrades thought the world of him, and we all extend to you our deepest sympathy in your time of sorrow. That very morning be seemed unusually cheerful, and we had a long chat together, during which he showed me your photograph and also your two children’s. He was proud of you all, and could never have shown a more loving disposition had he lived ever so long. I am very sad at having to part with another of my best boys. I pray most earnestly that the Great Consoler may be with you, and that you may feel his hand by you to strengthen and to help. – Very sincerely yours, Arthur F. Melton, 2nd Lt.”

Private Haworth, who was 26 years of age, went out to France in February last. A native of Blackburn, he had lived in Barnoldswick about seven years. and prior to enlisting was employed as a weaver at Messrs. Slater Bros., Wellhouse Mill.

24 May 1918

HAWORTH – In loving memory of Private Herbert Haworth, who died of wounds in France May 20th, 1917.

If those who caused this awful war
Were the only ones to fight,
A brighter world this would have been
For aching hearts to-night.
Not gone from memory or from love,
But to our Father’s home above.

– From his sorrowing Wife and Children, 3, Turner Street, Barnoldswick.