James Lancaster
James Lancaster was born in Wheelton in 1890, the son of James and Elizabeth. Before enlisting in the Pals on the 21st September 1914 he worked in textiles at Victoria Mill in Wheelton and lived at 14 Meadow Street in the village. James was not married and worshipped at St. Chad’s R.C. Church at Whittle-le-Woods.
He was wounded at Serre on the 1st July 1916 and was killed by a German sniper on the 2nd October 1916 whilst in Princes Island and 13A Island trenches at Festubert in the Loos sector of northern France.
Although James is recorded as having no known grave and being commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the Missing, more than likely he was buried behind the lines but his grave was lost in subsequent fighting.
His brother-in-law, Herbert Wilding also served in the Chorley Pals.
