Michael Fadden rests in Highland Cemetery in the village of Roclincourt, close to Arras – on his headstone is the simple message “May he rest in peace”.
He enlisted on the 16th September 1914, giving his address as Norris Street in Chorley. Michael Fadden was the first Chorley Pal to be wounded in action on the 1st May 1916, receiving wounds to the back and shoulder blade. He was also wounded at Serre on the 1st July 1916, after which he was transferred to the 3rd and then the 1st Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment; unusually he kept his original service number.
He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Arras, on the 9th April 1917, aged 39.
The 1901 Census recorded that he was single and living with his parents at 188 Lyons Lane. However, he married Ellen Grayken in Chorley later that year and they were recorded on the 1911 Census as living at 64 Anderton Street in Chorley with their six children; his wife died in 1916 whilst Michael was away serving with the Pals.
A Coal Miner, he was known to worship at St. Gregory’s on Weldbank.
