Sergeant John Moran.
13453 9th East Lancashire Regiment.
Missing in Action 13th September 1916, aged 29.
John Moran
John was born in the June quarter of 1888 in Burnley the son of Joseph Moran and Annie Lanty. In the 1891 census the family lived at 143 Padiham Rd, Burnley. Joseph his father was 35 and a greengrocer, born in Ireland. His mother Annie was 29 and born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, Ellen 6, Joseph 4 and John 3 were all born in Burnley.
The family had moved to 33 Elm St, Burnley by the time of 1901 Census. Joseph now a weaver, Ann, 40, Ann 18 weaver, Ellen 16 weaver, Joseph 14 weaver, John 13 weaver and Mary 8.
102 Colne Rd, Burnley was their next home at the 1911 census, Joseph 55, had remarried Sarah 50 a Burnley Lass. John 23 and Kathleen 19. Joseph had married sarah 5 years previous to the census.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 7th October 1916: ONE OF THE BRAVEST. ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO BURNLEY SERGEANT.
"I am very sorry to have to inform you that your son Jack was killed in action yesterday September 14. He was killed while rallying his men for a counterattack. He and his officer, who was killed just about the same time, are spoken of by all left has been to of the bravest fellows they have ever seen. My sympathy goes out to you in your irreparable loss. I have lost the best of chums.- S/C Davies, acting Co.Quartermaster Sergeant."
This was the pathetic letter received by Mr Joseph Moran, broker of Colne Road Burnley, bringing the first notification of his son's death in Action , sad news which was subsequently confirmed by the receipt of a war office intimation.
Sergeant 13453 John Moran, who was in the East Lancashire Regiment was age 28 years, and a tackler at Proctors Mill Stoneyhome, when he enlisted on 6th September 1914, in kitchener's army. A year later he went on Active Service and a cruel coincidence is that he was killed in the same month the following year. The soldier was made a sergeant during his first year of service. He attended St John's RC Church, Ivy Street, at which school he was brought up. He also played in the school football team.
Sgt Moran spent 3-weeks first in France, and most of his Active Service in another sphere. Sergeant Moran had written several interesting letters to the Express about his army experiences.
His brother Sergeant Joe Moran, is in hospital at Cheltenham suffering from trench fever and gas, after being 14 months in the trenches. He has two brothers-in-law also on Active Service, Sergeant Harrison with the AVC in Egypt, and Lance Corporal Duxbury in hospital in India with dysentery. Three enlisted after war broke out.
From the Burnley News dated 7 October 1916: DEATHS.
MORAN - Killed in action September 14th 1916 Sgt John Moran, 9th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. - " Hearts who loved him will never forget. Rest in peace." From the family, 102 Colne Road Burnley.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 14 October 1916: WOUNDED AND GASSED. BURNLEY SERGEANT WHO HAS LOST BROTHER.
Last week we published the photograph and particulars of Sgt John Moran son of Mr Moran of 102 Colne Road Burnley, who has been killed in action. The Sergeant's brother Joseph, who is also a Sergeant in the East Lancs, has been wounded and gassed and is at present in hospital at Cheltenham.
John’s brother Joseph
From The Express and Advertiser dated 21 October 1916: DIED AFTER RECOMMENDATION FOR BRAVERY.
It is notified that Lance Corporal Tom Whitaker of the East Lancashire Regiment whose parents reside at 239 Railway Street Nelson died from wounds on September 23rd previous to enlisting shortly after war broke out Lance Corporal Whitaker was a weaver at Marsden Mill.................... Sergeant Moran of Burnley was killed in the same charge.
Lived at 102 Colne Road.
John left his effects to his father Joseph.
John is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece: Son of Joseph Moran, of 102, Colne Rd., Burnley.