The USA declares war on Germanyand sides with the Allies.

April sees increasing casualties as themonth wears on with the Battle of

Arras, second Battle of the Aisne andfighting in Salonika. Canadian forces

seize Vimy Ridge.

12 April 1917

19 April 1917

Ilala pictured (left) in Cape Town 1882. Image fromcollection at Whitehaven Archive and Local StudiesCentre (PH 375)

12 April 1917

PARTON MILITARY MEDALLISTKILLED IN FRANCE

The sad news has come to Mr and Mrs W DFerguson of Parton of the death on the battlefield inFrance of their youngest son Private JosephFerguson, Border Regiment. Sergeant DavidJohnstone of Parton, who is a friend and comradein arms conveyed the news in a letter to his wife,stating that he (Sergt Johnstone) had just arrivedwith the letters when a shell struck Pvt Ferguson inthe chest and killed him outright.

Private Ferguson who won the military medala few months ago is very highly spoken of for hisdaring conduct as a stretcher-bearer. More than oneof our local soldiers it is said, owe their life to hisplucky and heroic deeds. His chums at homelearned with deep regret of his death. His parents,who were very naturally proud of his distinctionand were anxiously waiting his getting home onfurlough, are feeling their loss very keenly, andhave the sympathy of their many friends.

26 April 1917

These articles are taken fromthe Whitehaven News, held onmicrofilm at Whitehaven Archiveand Local Studies Centre, andindexed by volunteers.

The issues covering the time ofthe Great War have beenindexed by a group ofvolunteers in an eighteen-monthlong project undertaken tocommemorate the centenary ofthe outbreak of war, and to actas a lasting memorial to allwhose lives were touched by theevents.

12 April 1917

19 April 1917

19 April 1917

12 April 1917

LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED INACTION

A BRAYSTONES FAMILY LOSS OFTWO SONS

Mr and Mrs Harrington of River View,Braystones, have received word that their son CorplJohn Harrington has been killed in action. CorplHarrington was their eldest son, and joined the firstbatch of Territorials that left Egremont on the outbreakof the war. Previous to his joining up he was employedat the new sinking pit at Ullbank, where he was held inhigh esteem by his employers and his workmates. Hehad seen some hard fighting in France during which hewas taken ill and was sent home to recuperate havingbeen gassed in one of the great battles. He only rejoinedhis regiment five weeks ago.

Mr and Mrs Harrington’s second son Private R HHarrington is now reported killed in action. Heoriginally joined the Border Territorials but wastransferred to the Border Regiment. He had been inFrance since last April and had been through severalengagements. During one battle in November of lastyear he was reported missing and his parent werebuoyed with hope that he was alive and well butunfortunately word is to hand that he is killed. Greatsympathy is expressed on all sides for Mr and MrsHarrington in their great trouble. In their loss of twofine sons the eldest being only 22 years of age while theother is in his 20th year.

5 April 1917

5 April 1917

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5 April 191719 April 1917

26 April 1917

12 April 1917

12 April 1917

MARYPORT PRESENTATION TO ANASPATRIA SOLDIER – Sergt T Arnott, ofAspatria, who has been awarded the Military Medalwas on Wednesday night the recipient of a goldwatch and Treasury notes from the Cumberland CoalTrade Conciliation Board. The presentation tookplace in the Market Hall, before a large company.The Collieries’ Band was in attendance and playedselections. Mr T Cape, secretary to the CumberlandMiners’ Association, handed over the gifts. Mr G HAskew, Castlemont, presided, and there were also onthe platform, Mr T Edie, manager, and Mr I Rothery,under-manager from the Brayton collieries, Mr JDickingson, Plumbland, President of the CumberlandMiners’ Assocaiton and Mr E Sanderson, chairman ofthe Aspatria Lodge.

12 April 1917