Private Edmund Gledhill.
6843 1st Lancashire Fusiliers.
Died 3rd October 1915, accident in London, aged 28.
Edmund was born in the Sept quarter of 1887, Burnley. His mother’s maiden name was Mahon.
Edmund married Ann Haigh in the Dec quarter 1910, Burnley.
In the 1911 census Edmund 24 labourer at brickworks, Ann 36 weaver born in Bacup, Sarah Ann Haigh 12, Albert Haigh 7 and Alice Haigh 5 living at 2 Strange St, Burnley.
From the Burnley News dated 6th Oct 1915: BURNLEY SOLDIER - KILLED BY A MOTOR BUS.
Crossing London Road, Cheam, a dark narrow thoroughfare, on Sunday night, Private Gledhill Lancashire Fusiliers, a convalescent soldier was knocked down by a motor bus and killed outright. A civilian companion named John Neal of Ewell, was seriously injured. Gledhill was a Burnley-man.
From the Burnley News dated 13th October 1915: BURNLEY SOLDIERS TRAGIC DEATH. -FUNERAL AT WHEATLEY LANE.
A Burnley soldier private Edmund Gledhill copper of the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers, whose family resides at 92 Hufling Lane, met his death under tragic circumstances last week, in London. Pathetic to relate, the soldier was returning home for a brief furlough, having been wounded at the Dardanelles. He had spent three weeks in a convalescent home at Epsom, which he left on the night of Sunday October 3rd with the intention of catching the midnight train for the north at Euston. He was proceeding along London Road on his way to Euston station to catch the Midnight Express, when he and another man a civilian, were knocked down and run over by a motor omnibus. Private Gledhill was killed outright, and the civilian very seriously injured.
in a letter written by the late soldier to his wife and family karma has a very melancholy interest. He was evidently looking forward to seeing his loved ones and he wrote stating the times when he was departing and obvious arrival in Burnley. "all of us who have been to the front he stated are getting 10 days of the best, and we very much appreciate it."
Mrs Gledhill had previously been notified officially, that her husband had been invalided with sickness and at that time he had spent a week at Epsom.
The inquest on the deceased soldier opened on Thursday last, when the coroner adjourned the proceedings, in order that the civilian who was injured in the accident could give evidence, until October 28th.
The late private Gledhill who was 28 years of age, and listed some 13 months ago. He was formerly a brickmaker at Towneley Colliery. His name appears on the roll of honour in connection with st. Stephen's church.
IMPRESSIVE SCENES.
The remains of the deceased soldier wearing interned with military honours at the Wheatley Lane burial ground on Monday afternoon, the obsequies being of a most impressive character. The Corpse was enclosed in a pitch pine coffin, draped with a large Union Jack, deceased cap and belt being placed on the lid. Preceding the hearse there walked a contingent of 20 soldiers from the depot, Keighley green, including a firing party of 12, on the sergeant Oldfield, a drummer and bugler, and 6 bearers. As the funeral cortege proceeded through Burnley, blinds were drawn as a mark of respect, and it's progress was witnessed by many sympathisers who assembled along the lines of root and especially in the neighbourhood of the home. The mourners were: first carriage, Mrs Gledhill Widow and three children, Mrs Gledhill deceased's mother, Ms Annie Gledhill sister, private Tom Gledhill brother, Mr William Green. Second carriage: Mr and Mrs Margerison Mr and Mrs James Green, Mr and Mrs Mark Green, Mr and Mrs J W Green. Third carriage: Miss Mary Bamford, Mrs Lowdon, Mrs Hirst, Mrs Parker. The officiating minister was the Rev F G Bullock, Curate of St. Stephen's.
Very touching scenes were witnessed at the graveside. Three Valleys were fired over the open grave to the role of muffled drums, and then the bugler sounded the "Last Post."
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr William Brierley of Sussex Street Burnley.
Edmund left his effects to his widow Ann and some to a P. Telfer for funeral expenses.
Edmund is buried in Wheatley Lane, Inghamite Churchyard, Burnley Lancs: Husband of Ann Gledhill, of 11, Peter St., Burnley.
