Corporal Luke Shanley. 

4366 1st Kings Dragoon Guards.

Died 30th January 1917, aged 26.

Luke was born about 1890 in Burnley. The son of Thomas Shanley and Mary Nairey. In the 1901 census the family lived at 44 Moseley St, Burnley. Thomas 50 a stone mason, born in Manchester, Mary 40 born in Ireland, Kate 20 weaver, Anne 18 weaver, Mary  16 weaver,  Cornelius 14 creeler, Thomas 12, Luke 10, John 8, James 5 and Agnes 3. All the children were born in Burnley.

From The Express and Advertiser dated 23 September 1914: FOUR BROTHERS AT THE FRONT.

Mrs Shanley of Robert Street, Burnley, has four members of the family at the front serving in different regiments, and all are so far well. Another, Lance Corporal P Shanley, 79th RHA (Royal Horse Artillery), was killed at Tweefontein in South Africa on Christmas day, 1901. The men out with the present Expeditionary Forces are:

Driver Colin Shanley (reserve) A.S.C (Army Service Corps).

Driver Thomas Shanley (reserve) A.S.C (Army Service Corps).

Corporal Luke Shanley 1st K(ings) Dragoons India.

Private John Shanley, E. L. (East Lancs) Regiment.

To have both sent the stock army postcard to say they are quite well, one on September 5th and 2nd on September 8th.

In the case of Driver Thomas, he writes: "I have come through alright so far thank God. It is burning hot over here. The fruit grows on the roadside. I want you to send me some Woodbines. I have not heard from Colin lately. Excuse me for not writing anymore, it is dark."

Driver Conn Shanley Writes home the letter being "passed by censor,"  as follows: "I hope these few lines will find you in the best of health, as it leaves me at present. We are not allowed to say where we are, and we are not allowed to put any more news in. I cannot complain so much so far. We are doing very well for food. The heat is terrible through the day. I have not seen Tom for 3 weeks, I would like to know where he is. I have seen John Clarke and Martin O'Hara over here........ It's a lovely place, this. We are tired of eating fruit, it grows everywhere. I would like some Woodbines if you could manage some. I would like to be watching Good Old Burnley."

Lived at 44 Moseley Street, Formerly Roberts Street.

Luke left his effects to his mother Mary Ann.

Luke was buried in Forest Montiers Churchyard, France: Grave Ref;  In the S W part.