John FAWCETT (1)

26 February 1915

DEATH OF A BARNOLDSWICK MAN AT THE FRONT

News has this week been received of the death at the Front of Private John Fawcett, a Barnoldswick man who was killed in the trenches by a bullet from a German sniper.

The deceased was a native of Sandgate, Burnley, but he had lived in Barnoldswick for over three years, having removed to the town to better his circumstances as a cotton weaver. His widow and three children live at 9, Collin Street, Barnoldswick, and a sad coincidence is the fact that one of his baby daughters was seriously ill with pneumonia at the time her father was killed. We understand, however, that the child is getting better now.

Pte. Fawcett was called upon at the outbreak of war to join his old regiment, the Lancashire Fusiliers, as a reservist. He took part in nearly all the important engagements, and his last message from ‘Somewhere in France’ reached Barnoldswick about a fortnight ago. The sad news was conveyed in a letter dated February 17th addressed to Private (168) W. Nettleton of No. 9 Platoon ‘C’ Company, to some friends of deceased at Burnley. In the message the writer says:– “Just a few lines to tell you of the sad news of Jack’s (Pte. Fawcett) death, which occurred whilst he was in the trenches. It happened on Saturday, February 13th at 3.30 in the afternoon. He was shot by one of the enemy’s snipers, and he died a painless death. It was all over in a minute, and he was not able to speak a word. We are sending you his letters, pipes, etc., which we took from him. He was a good soldier and comrade, and was well liked in our section.”

26 March 1915

BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIER’S ESCAPE: “Have Avenged Dear Old Jack”

Private J. Bolton of the Machine Gun Section, 2nd Border Regiment, ‘somewhere in France’, writing to a relative in Barnoldswick says:– “Just a few lines to let you know I have avenged dear old Jack.” (Reference to Private J. Fawcett, who was a brother-in-law to the writer and whose death in action was reported in the Pioneer a few weeks ago.)

Continuing, the writer says:– “We have had a big battle – my word, it was a scrap. My regiment alone, the old 55th, got 400 prisoners and a machine gun. I got a bullet through my ammunition box, and then through my pants, but it never hurt me! You should have seen their trenches when we got there. Enclosed you will find a photo and postcards. The photo I got off a wounded German who was shot through both legs. I felt sorry for him so I gave him my ration of rum. He said ‘Good English’ then gave me a photo and pointing out his own portrait from the group, said ‘Souvenir, good English!’ The other two photographs I got off a dead German – one was in his pocket and the other (that of a young woman) lay by his side. After the battle the General himself came and personally commended the machine gun section for the way we handled our guns. I will now close, hoping this finds you all in the best of health, as it leaves me at present.”

24 December 1915

CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – BARNOLDSWICK

Pte. John Fawcett, Lancashire Fusiliers, killed by a German sniper in France on February 13th. Left a widow and three children, who reside at 9 Collin Street, Barnoldswick.