Private Owen Sherry.
22760 1st East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 1st July 1916, aged 30.
Owen was born in Blackburn about 1884.The son of Patrick Sherry and Mary A Bradshaw. In the 1891 census the family lived at 23 Prince Albert St, Blackburn, Lancs. Patrick 32 weaver born in Ireland, Mary A 30 spinner born in Leeds, Yorkshire. Rose 8, Owen 6, Margaret 4 and Mary Canning 40 and Anthony Bradshaw both boarders.
By the time of the1901 census the family had moved to Burnley at 4 Garstang St. Patrick 48, Mary 46, Rose 18, Owen 17 weaver, Margaret 13, Richard 8.
Owen married Jane Rostron in St Mary’s RC Church on the 8th Dec 1908 in Burnley. They had two children Richard born 20th April 1909 and Mary born 30 March 1911.
In the 1911 census they lived at 3 Dawson St., Burnley. Owen 28 weaver, Jane 28, Richard 2 and Mary 3 days.
Owen went to Canada when he was 26 (1911/12) heading for Vancouver, he gave his occupation as a miner.
Owen enlisted on the 17th March 1915 having had previous service in the 3rd East Lancs Bn. He was discharged on the 28th March as being unlikely to make a soldier. He obviously didn’t give up and eventually succeeded to get into the 1st Battalion.
From the Burnley News dated 9 August 1916: BURNLEY SOLDIER MISSING. LAST SEEN ON JUNE 30TH.
Private Owen Sherry, 30 Sandygate Burnley has been missing since July 1st. He is in the 1st East Lancashires which he joined about 13 months ago. 32 years of age he was formerly a labourer at the Burnley Ironworks. He is a married man with two children. His brother, Private Richard Sherry, is in the 6th Battalion East Lancashires. Private Owen Sherry was last seen on June 30th by his brother-in-law, Sergeant Harry Rostron East Lancs. Mrs Sherry has two other brother's in the East Lancs, Private James Rostron and Private T W Rostron. The latter is now in hospital.
From the Burnley News dated 12th August 1916: BURNLEY SOLDIER MISSING. LAST SEEN ON JUNE 30Th.
As intimated in our issue on Wednesday, Private Owen Sherry, 30 Sandygate Burnley has been missing since July 1st. He is in the 1st East Lancashires which he joined about 13 months ago. 32 years of age he was formerly a labourer at the Burnley Ironworks. He is a married man with two children. His brother, Private Richard Sherry, is in the 6th Battalion East Lancashires. Private Owen Sherry was last seen on June 30th by his brother-in-law, Sergeant Harry Rostron East Lancs. Mrs Sherry has two other brother's in the East Lancs, Private James Rostron and Private T W Rostron. The latter is now in hospital.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 12 August 1916: BURNLEY PRIVATE MISSING.
Mrs Sherry of 30 Sandygate Burnley, has received an intimation from the war office that her husband Private Owen Sherry, of the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, is reported missing as from the 1st of July. Mrs Sherry had previously had a letter from her brother, Sergeant Rostrum, of the same Regiment conveying the sad news that her husband was missing, and this has been confirmed officially by the War Office. Corporal Sherry went into action with his regiment on the first morning of the big offensive, and he has not since been heard of. He has a wife and two children, a boy and girl, aged 5 and 7 years respectively. 30 years of age he had served his full time with the 3rd East Lancashire Regiment. He re-joined his old Battalion 12 months ago after two or three unsuccessful attempts, and was drafted from the 3rd Battalion at Plymouth into the 1st line Battalion in France, going out to the front last Easter. Before re-joining his regiment he was employed as a labourer at the Burnley Ironworks.
Private Sherry (whose father was in the 3rd East Lancashire Regiment) has a brother Private Richard Sherry, also in the 6th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. His sister's husband, Private William Mills, of the same Battalion, was killed in the Dardanelles 12 months ago. Mrs Sherry had a cousin killed at Neuve Chapelle at the age of 17, and she has two brothers in the East Lancs, Private James Rostrum and Private T W Rostrum, the latter is now in hospital.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 30 May 1917: ROLL OF HONOUR.
SHERRY. Killed in action on July 1st 1916, Private Owen Sherry first E Ll Regiment, aged 33 years.
How Little We thought when we said goodbye,
We parted forever and you were to die,
The grief that we feel words cannot tell,
For we could not be with you to bid you farewell.
From his wife and children, 34 B Sandygate.
The midnight stars shine o’er the grave.
Of a dear son and brother and soldier brave.
How dear how brave we shall understand.
When we meet again in the better land.
From mother father sisters and brother in Mesopotamia.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 8th September 1917: BURNLEY SOLDIERS BODIES RECOVERED.
In Our issue of April 28th last, we announced that Mr James Uttley of Laneside Farm, Crawshawbooth, had been informed that the war office presumed the death of his son, Private 15832 Richard Uttley, of the Machine Gun Section of the 11th East Lancashire Burnley “Pals” Regiment, who had been missing since the opening day of the Somme battle on July 1st 1916. This week Mr Uttley has received word from the War Office that his son’s body has been found and buried, and his name put in the official list of killed. We gave a photo and particulars of the soldier on April 28th last.
Mrs Sherry of 34b Sandygate, Burnley has received the following message from the Preston Record Office: "In confirmation of assumption of death of number to 22760 Private Sherry, 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, I have to inform you that the soldiers remains have now been found and buried. His name will now appear in the official casualty list." We gave photo and particulars of the soldier on May 30 last.
Lived at 30 Sandygate.
Owen left his effects to his widow Jane Emmett.
Owen was buried in Redan Ridge Cemetery No. 2, France: Grave Ref; B.19.
