Private Daniel Grimshaw.
19832 8th East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 15th July 1916, aged 33.
Daniel always stated he was born in Accrington in the census’s, but according to the GRO his birth was registered in the March quarter of 1882 in Haslingden. He was the son of Jackson Grimshaw and Julia Brick. In the 1891 census the family lived at 1 Back, Jacob St, Accrington, Jackson 34 Foundryman born in Rishton, Julia 34, Mary 14 weaver, Daniel 9, John 6, Eliza 4, Joseph1 all born in Accrington.
By the time of the 1901 census thefamily had grown, Jackson 43, Johanna (Julia) 43, Daniel 20 labourer, John Wm 16, Eliza 14, Joseph 12, Catherine 9, Nora 7, and Thomas 5, living at 63 Dowry St, Accrington.
Daniel married Ada Curry in the Sept quarter of 1913. We later discover from his enlistment papers that he married Ada in St Mary’s Church, Burnley on the 16th Aug 1913.
Daniel enlisted in the Lancashire Fusiliers on the 9th Sept 1914 in Burnley, service No 7797. At the time he was living at 54 Bridge St and he was a general labourer. He was discharged on the 16th Oct as being medically unfit. He obviously enlisted again in the East Lancs and was more successful.
From the Burnley Express dated 5th August 1916 : WIFE AND BABY LEFT
Official notification was received on Tuesday by Mrs. Grimshaw, of 25, Salmon Street, Burnley, of the fact that her husband was killed in action on July 7th. Pte. Daniel Grimshaw, 19832, was in the 8th East Lancashire Regt., which he joined in September, 1914. He went out last November. He was a native of Accrington, but for five years had resided in Burnley, and since his marriage lived at Salmon Street. Pte. Grimshaw formerly worked as a fitter at Messrs Pemberton’s Foundry. Mrs. Grimshaw had had previous intimation of his death a comrade having written to say that he was shot through the head. Pte. H. Slater, of Accrington, has written to Mrs. Grimshaw as follows:-
“As a pal of your husband, I write to express the deepest sympathy of myself and all the company at the death of Pte. D. Grimshaw, who was killed on the 15th July by a shell. He died instantly. But I am more than proud to tell you that he was buried with full military honours behind the line, for which he sacrificed his life and for his King and country. I am sure that it is a great loss to you, for he was such a good and jolly man. I could not express to you how we miss him.”
Daniel left his effects to his widow Ada.
Lived at 25 Salmon Street
Son of Jackson and Julia Grimshaw, of 14, Ellison St., Accrington; husband of Ada Robinson (formerly Grimshaw), of 5, George St. West, Blackburn.
Daniel is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France: Pier and Face 6C.
Photo courtesy of George Coppock, 2024