Edward's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Edward Ronan was born in Macclesfield and baptised on 9th February 1870 at St Michael's Church, Macclesfield, the son of Harriet (née Johnson) and Matthew Ronan, a furniture broker of Macclesfield. In 1871, one-year-old Edward was living at 115 Chestergate with his parents and siblings John (9), Hannah (6), and Matthew (4). Ten years later the family was at the same address and included another son, Frederick, then aged 9.
On 13th October 1889 Edward married Mary Elizabeth Hayes at Christ Church, Macclesfield under the name Edwin Ronan; both were stated to be aged twenty, and Edward/Edwin was working as a mineral water manufacturer.
Edward's father died in 1882; in 1891 Edward, his wife, and their daughter Harriet (aged 1) were living at 115 Chestergate with Edward's widowed mother, and his brothers Matthew Henry (24) and Fred (18).
Ten years later in 1901, Mary and her children William Alfred (7) and Harold (10 months) were lodging at 15 Green Street, Macclesfield with her brother-in-law Henry Potter. Mary was described as a widow and was working as a silk piecer to support herself and her children.
In 1911 Mary was still alone, but described as married, lodging with John Keefe in Bank Street, Macclesfield with her children Harold (11), Rose (6) and Alexander (2). Of Edward and Mary's twelve children, seven had died. Edward may be the Edward Nixon, general labourer, married and born in Macclesfield, who was boarding with James Pomfrett and his family at 9 South Street, Rawtenstall, Lancashire.
The recipient of Edward's pension after his death was Mrs M C (or E) Ronan, 34 St Andrew's Street, Fairfield Street, Manchester.
WW1 SERVICE
Edward joined the East Lancashire (Accrington Pals) Regiment in Accrington on 17th September 1914, under the alias of Edward Nickson. The men initially trained locally, but in February 1915 the battalion left Accrington for training at Caernarvon, and in May that year moved again to Penkridge Bank Camp near Rugeley where it joined the 12th, 13th and 14th Battalions of the York & Lancaster Regiment to form the 94th Brigade, 31st Division. The battalion made further moves in July and September 1915, first to Ripon and then to Hurdcott Camp near Salisbury, before the 31st Division embarked in December for Egypt to counter a Turkish threat against the Suez Canal. In the last week of February 1916, the 31st Division was ordered to France, to take part in the joint British-French attack on the Somme.
In the evening of 30th June, the 11th East Lancashires left their camp at Warnimont Wood and marched seven miles to the trenches near Serre. At 2.40am on Saturday 1st July, the leading companies of the battalion reached the front line trenches to find them already heavily shell-damaged. The build-up had not gone unnoticed and, as daylight broke, the forward lines were again pounded by enemy shellfire. At 7.20am the men went 'over the top' and were immediately cut down by machine gun and rifle fire. The few who made the journey across No Mans Land to the enemy trenches eventually had to withdraw, due to lack of support. Out of some 720 Accrington Pals who took part in the attack, at least 584 were killed, wounded or missing.
COMMEMORATION
Lance Serjeant Edward Ronan has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France, Pier and Face 6 C.
In Macclesfield, Lance Serjeant Edward Ronan is not known to be commemorated on any war memorial.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births
Census (England & Wales): 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911
Cheshire Parish Baptism Registers: St Michael's Church, Macclesfield
Cheshire Parish Marriage Registers: Christ Church, Macclesfield
WWI British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects
WWI British Army Medal Rolls Index Cards
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
The Accrington Pals website
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.