Private Patrick Joseph Gleeson.
10231 1st Border Regiment.
Missing in Action 6th May 1915, aged 21.
Patrick was born in the June quarter 1894, Burnley. The son of John Gleeson and Mary A Conlan. In the 1901 census the family lived at 4 Anne St, Burnley. John 49 miner born in County Durham, Mary 39, Minnie 20 weaver, Barbara 19 weaver, Mary 15 weaver, Gertrude 9, Patrick 7 and Rose 3. All born in Burnley.
By the time of the 1911 census his sister Barbara had married William Blakey and their family had taken over 4 Anne St. William Blakey 29, Barbara 29, Mary Ann Blakey 2, Mary Ellen Gleeson (sister) 25 weaver, Gertrude Gleeson (sister) 19 weaver, Patrick 17 miner, rose Gleeson 13 weaver and James Gleeson 7, all living in 4 rooms.
From the Burnley News dated 19th June 1915: RUMOUR UNCONFIRMED. BURNLEY SOLDIERS FATE.
No official confirmation has yet been received of the rumour that Private Patrick Gleeson 1st Border Regiment, whose sisters reside in Anne Street Burnley, has been killed in the Dardanelles. A letter received on Tuesday from private Fred Wilson karma stated that Gleeson had been killed in action but in the absence of notification from the war office his relatives are still in hopes that the statement may prove to be incorrect. Gleeson is 21 years of age and has been in the army four years. He was in India when the war broke out, and after a short visit to England sailed for the Dardanelles on March the 15th.
From the Burnley Express dated 19th June 1915: Fate of Burnley soldier.- wounded man writes home.
There are reasons to believe that Private Patrick Gleeson, 10231, of the 1st Border Regiment who sisters reside at 4 Anne Street Burnley, had met with death near the Dardanelles. A letter received on Tuesday by his mother from Private Fred Wilson, who is with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces, states that Private Arthur Robinson of Stoneyholme told the writer that Private Glesson had been shot, and requesting his mother to convey the news to the soldiers relatives.
Private Glesson had been in the army four 4 years and was in India when war was declared. He arrived in England a little before Christmas and was in Rugby for about 3-months. It was on the 15th of March that he set sail for the Dardanelles, and he celebrated his 21st birthday during the voyage. The last letter his sister's received from him was on April 17th, when he was in good health and spirits. He visited his sisters on 4 days leave before sailing for the Dardenelles.
Patrick left his effects to his sister Barbara Blakey.
Patrick is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli: Panels 120 to 126 and 222 and 223. Son of John and Mary Ann Gleeson, of 4, Anne St., Burnley.