John William's Story.
John William (Willie) Findlow was the 19 year old son of Alfred and Mary Findlow. He was living in Shaw Street, Runcorn, but his parents moved to Appleton, Widnes.He was employed for some time at Pilkington's and was a member of the territorials, enlisting in 1914 and going out to France on 25th January 1915, meeting up with his cousin and namesake.
In some letters received the day bfore his death was announced, he wrote
"I have killed alot of Germans in France and am getting on alright. We will kill a lot more. Some of them are young lads and old men. My Captain got killed and my friend Private Moore got wounded in the neck a week ago, but he is getting on alright. We made a charge the other week and took four rows of trenches and about 400 prisoners"
News of Willie's death was via a letter from the Chaplain. he wrote tot he family to say that he had his right leg blown off, but was unable to say how he had met his injuries. He passed away very quietly the day after being admitted to the Base Hospital.
" He was very brave over the pain" said the letter " and frequently smiled at me when I spoke to him. We buried him in the Military Cemetery on 29th June.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth with assistance from Percy Dunbavand