Edwin's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Son of William and Hannah Eccleston, of 74 Bridge St, Macclesfield.
MILITARY SERVICE
Edwin attested in Macclesfield on 10 February 1917 at the age of 17 years 7 months, stating that he was employed as a blake sewer. In September of that year he was sent to the 48th Training Reserve Battalion, and on 12 December 1917 was transferred to the Loyal North Lancs Regiment, receiving service number 41327.
On 3 April 1918 Edwin was drafted to France and transferred to the Durham Light Infantry.
The death of Private Eccleston was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 25 October 1918:
PTE EDWARD ECCLESTON (sic) Durham Light Infantry, Killed on Sept 24th, was the son of Mr and Mrs Eccleston, 74 Bridge Street, Macclesfield. He was 19 years of age, and enlisted just over a year ago. Educated at Christ Church School, he attended St John's Church and in civil life was employed by Messrs Farrar, Ltd, slipper manufacturers. Three brothers are serving.
COMMEMORATION
Private Edwin Eccleston is buried at Chapelle British Cemetery, in grave ref. I. A. 2. His mother asked for the inscription “UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN” to be added to his headstone. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds casualty details for Private Edwin Eccleston, and he is listed on the Imperial War Museum’s Lives of the First World War website.
Locally, Private Edwin Eccleston is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church, St John's Church and Christ Church School war memorials.
NOTES
Brother of Charles Eccleston, who served as Private 50829 with the Royal Army Medical Corps; William Eccleston, who served as Private 290384 with the 2nd Cheshire Regiment; and Percy Eccleston, who served as Private 210354 with the 2/1 Cheshire Yeomanry.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births
Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911
WWI British Army Service Records 1914-1920 (Find My Past)
WWI British Army Medal Rolls Index Cards (Ancestry)
WWI Britain Absent Voters’ Lists (Find My Past)
Lives of the First World War website
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 25 October 1918
Research by Rosie Rowley, Macclesfield.