Lance Corporal Jesse Hallsworth 12347

Born 15.5.1882

Jesse lived in Ashton-in -Makerfield in Lancashire and worked in the family butchers shop. 

He served with the 7th South Lancashire Regiment and fought on the Somme in France.

According to the enquiry department for British Red Cross and Order of St John they recieved the following report from Pte J Kilshaw 15734 also of the 7th S. Lancs,

"Hallsworth was on the same Gun Team as me. At La Boisselle on July 4th we made an attack and we all went over together. A sniper shot him just over the right breast and he fell- it was in No Man's Land soon after going over. I was almost touching him. He died soon after but I don't know which day. I know they got him down. All the team but me were wiped out. We held the ground. He was a good man." Jesse died aged 31.

Jesse's brothers also served with the S Lancs in the first world war. Samuel Hallsworth (17.12.1888-22.7.1916) was Serjeant and was reported missing in action only a few weeks after Jesse aged 27. His older brother David Hallsworth (12.3.1880-1970s) survived the war. despite being captured and taken prisoner and then escaping and returning to the army. 

Both Jesse and Samuel Hallsworth are commemorated at The Thiepval Memorial in France.

Rachel Gander