Richard WEARING

07 May 1915

HIGH BENTHAM – News from the Front

Several letters and post cards from boys at the front state that they are fit and well. – Private Joe Jackson, son of Mr. Matthew Jackson, came from Tidwell to pay a short visit home before going out to the front, and returned on Wednesday. Corporal Turner, the only son of Mr. James Turner, of the Army Service Corps, is home on a short furlough, and Pte. R. Wearing, son of Mr. John Wearing, is enjoying an extended leave through being kicked by his horse. He is in the transport section of the 5th King’s Own. – Mr. Wilfred Wells has joined the Sportsman’s Battalion.

21 July 1916

BENTHAM CRICKETER KILLED AT THE FRONT

News reached Bentham on Thursday the 13th that Lance-Corporal Joe Jackson had been killed on the 5th of July in the big push in France. It was contained in a letter from one of his pals, Pte. Dick Wearing, to his mother, as follows:–

“July 10th, 1916 – Dear Mrs. Jackson, just a few lines to let you know that poor Joe has been killed. I was up at the Company this morning and his Platoon Sergeant told me about him. I was so sorry because there was only Joe and Reuben Wilcock and me from Bentham. Wilcock has been wounded too. So I thought I would just write a few lines to you and let you know. I did not know whether Reuben had written to tell you or not. I thought a lot of Joe. I was talking to him the night before he was killed and he was in the best of health and said he would come down to see me when he came out of the trenches. It is terrible where our lads are in the trenches for shellfire. I can’t tell you any more at this time. From R. Wearing, 7th King’s Own.”

Deceased was a well-known member of the Bentham Cricket team, and also a member of the St. Margaret’s football team which played in the Craven League. He was one of three pals who left their looms at the cotton mill, and on the 5th September, 1914 went to the North of Scotland, Fort George, to join the Seaforth Highlanders only to find that regiment closed to all but Scots. Not to be outdone they joined the King’s Own on their return, and one lost his life in the Dardanelles a year ago – Teddy Magoolagan; and the other, Billy Sanderson, Bentham’s bowler, was invalided home. This makes the sixth Bentham youth to lay down his life in his Country’s cause.

He was the youngest son of Mr. Matthew Jackson, a carrier for Wilcock & Co, of Bentham, and great sympathy has been expressed to his bereaved parents, for the lad was a great favourite. He was 20 on the 20th February last, and on that day got 10 days’ furlough to come home. He returned on the last Sunday in February to the trenches in France, and had quite a send-off. He had a presentiment that he would not return, for whilst at a friend’s house he said he “thought a shell would be landing some day with his number on it”.

08 February 1918

HIGH BENTHAM – Soldiers Home

Several of the ‘boys’ are home from the trenches in France, including the two brothers, John and Dick Wearing, the sons of Mr. John Wearing, of Lairgill; Pioneer John Willan, of the R.E.; and Private Nat Robinson, of the ‘Dukes.’

15 November 1918

HIGHER BENTHAM – Death of Two Bentham Youths at the Front

News reached Bentham at the end of last week that Private Richard Wearing, the eldest son of Mr. John Wearing, of Lairgill, Bentham, of the 4th. Gordon Highlanders, was killed on the 27th October. The deceased soldier has three other brothers in France. He joined the 3rd. King’s Own in August 1914 just after the war began and was home on leave last February after which he was transferred to the Gordon’s. He was in his 26th year, a fine young fellow, and well known in Bentham.

24 October 1919

WEARING – In ever loving memory of Pte. Richard Wearing, of the 1/4th Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action in France on the 27th of October, 1918, in his 26th year.

29 October 1920

WEARING – In ever loving memory of my eldest son, Richard Wearing, of the 1/4th Gordon Highlanders, who fell in action in France, on the 27th day of October, 1918, in his 26th year.

A loving son and faithful brother –
One of God’s best towards his mother;
For all of us he did his best,
God grant him now eternal rest.
It is only a mother who knows the sorrow,
It is only a mother who knows the pain,
Losing her son she loved so dearly,
Never to see his face again.

“Gone, but not forgotten.”

Ever remembered by his Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, Lairgill, High Bentham.

28 October 1921

WEARING – In ever loving memory of my eldest son, Richard Wearing, of the 1/4th Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action in France on the 27th day of October, 1918, in his 26th year.

‘Twas hard to part with a son so dear –
A son so fond and true,
‘Twas hard to part with a partner in life
And to be left behind.
I often pause and think of him,
And think of how he died;
To think he could not say good-bye
Before he closed his eyes.
As long as life and memory lasts
1 will remember thee.

Ever remembered by his Mother and Father, Brothers and Sisters, Lair Gill, High Bentham.