Littleborough soldier Edwin Killick remembered on the anniversary of his death

Edwin Killick, a soldier who lived in Littleborough from 1901, will be remembered this week on the anniversary of his death.

Born in Speldhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent around 1856, Edwin moved to Littleborough in 1901 and was living at 687 Halifax Road.

By 1911, Edwin and his wife Agnes were living at 10 Whitegate, Smithy Bridge and at the time of the census, were looking after their niece Nellie O’Dell
Bradbury.

According to the 1911 census, Edwin was employed at Birch Hill Hospital as an ‘Imbecile Attendant’.

When the army began enlisting in October 1914, Edwin re-joined his battalion, the Third Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers. He was posted to Hull and whilst there became ill.

It was discovered that he had an internal complaint and he returned home in February 1915.

He died at home in the presence of his wife on Friday 26 March 1915, aged 55 (death certificate shows 58).

Edwin was buried with full military honours in St Andrew's Churchyard, Dearnley. His coffin was covered with the Union Flag and a detachment of members of the Sixth (Reserve) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and a firing party from Bury Barracks attended the funeral.

He had worked in the wards of the Rochdale Union (Birch Hill Hospital) for 19 years and for his honour, seven officers at the workhouse acted as pall bearers at his funeral. He had previously worked at Prestwich.

Edwin’s name is commemorated on the St Andrew's Memorial Card and War Memorial but because he was discharged from service, he does not have a Commonwealth War Graves Commission record or headstone.