Private Roger Priest. 

15139 2nd Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.

Died 25th February 1918, aged 40.

Roger  was born in the December  quarter of 1877 in Ashton in Makerfield, Lancs. The son of John Priest and Ann Gallagher. The family were living at Haydock, Lancs in the 1881 census. John 40 miner was born in Ireland, Ann 28 also born in Ireland, Catherine 6, Patrick 4, Roger 3, all born in Ashton, and Francis Gallagher Ann’s brother. Living at 21 Lyme St.

The next census in 1891 saw them living at 5 John St, Golborne, Lancs. John  Priest 40, Ann 37, Catherine 17, spinner, Patrick 15 miner, Roger 13 miner, Francis 9, Margaret 6 and Rosa 3.

Roger married Sarah Jane Moorby in the March quarter of 1899 in Burnley. The newly married couple were living with Sarah’s parents in the 1901 census at 13 Myers St., Burnley. George Moorby 54, Sarah Moorby 43, Sarah J Priest 21 all weavers. Roger Priest 23 coal miner, Sarah A 2, Rosy 1 and George 1 month.

In the 1911 census Roger and his family along with Sarah’s parents had moved to 3 Ardwick St., Burnley. Roger 33 miner, Sarah Jane 32 weaver, Sarah Ann 12, John 8, George Moorby 64 weaver and his wife Sarah 53 weaver. Roger and Sarah having been married 12 years had had 6 children 4 of whom had died in infancy.

From The Express and Advertiser dated 29 May 1915: AFTER 10 MINUTES. BURNLEY SOLDIERS SHORT TRENCH TIME.

Mrs Anne Priestley of 18 Ashfield Road Burnley, has received an official notification from the war office that her son, Private Patrick Priestley of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, was killed in action on May 8th. The official notice says the place of death is not stated but it has come out that the fatal event occurred at Zonnebrouck. 

Private Priestley who was 38 years of age was working at Bank Hall pit when the war broke out, and was accepted as a re enlisting man. For six years he served in the Militia Battalion of the King's Liverpool regiment. This time he entered the royal Lancaster Regiment joining on August 27th and was sent to Saltash in Cornwall for training. He went out to the front about a month ago and in a letter sent to a friend by another soldier, he had only been in the trenches 10 minutes when he was killed by a Shell. He had not been in the trenches before.

Private Priestley's two brothers are also in the Royal Lancaster's. Private Frank Priestley who was also in the King's Liverpool Militia joined the Lancaster's after the Outbreak of War, both of them being in the 3rd Battalion and attach to the 2nd Battalion when at the front.  Private Roger Priestley is now in training with the 7th Battalion Royal Lancaster. Two brothers-in-law or also in the army.  Private William Curtis, who is in the RFA, and Private Peter Topping in the ASC. 

Private Frank Priestley has been home on sick leave, having badly damaged his wrist while at the front. He went to France in February, and left the Battlefield on May 1st, since when he has been in hospital at Rouen and Liverpool.  He was in the trenches just all the time, and one lot of trenches was only 10 yards distant from those occupied by the Germans. They were always on the defensive. The Canadian troops were on their right and a day or so after he left his mates were compelled to retire in consequence of the German gas attacks. Private Priestley just missed the gas attacks. When he was leaving he saw St. Jean in flames. On one occasion the Lancaster's were sent into the trenches for a stay of 4 days, but owing to the pressure of the enemy they were there 11 days and nights before they could be relieved.

 From The Express and Advertiser dated 3 March 1917: THREE BROTHERS IN SAME REGIMENT. TWO NEXT NUMBERS KILLED. 1 WOUNDED.

The officially reported death in Action of Private Frank Priest 12657, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, which took place in the eastern theatre, on February 9th, reveals a sad family tragedy of sacrifice and also a remarkable coincidence. There were three brothers, all Miners. Two have been killed and third wounded, and the two killed were Colliers at the same Pit and we're numbered next to each other in their Regiment.  Their mother lives at 18 Ashfield Road Burnley, and official news of the death of Frank was received on Sunday morning. The other brother Patrick, was killed in France on May 13th 1915, after being in the trenches only a very few minutes.

Private Frank Priest, who was 34 years of age and single, was a reservist, having served 6 years on the reserve with the King's Liverpool Regiment. On the Outbreak of War he reported and went out to France in the first month. He was wounded in May 1915, and was at home when the news came through of the death of his brother Patrick. Frank was a miner at Bank Hall Colliery, and attended St Mary's RC Church.  About 6 weeks ago his mother heard from him, and he then said he had just recovered from an attack of malaria.

Patrick's number in the regiment was 12656 and, as stated, he was killed in May 1915. He was 39 years of age, single and also a miner at bank hall.  Unfortunately there is no portrait of him.

The third brother Roger, is at Salonika. He is married and has three children.  He enlisted at the Outbreak of war, and served in France before going to the Balkans where he has been wounded. He was a miner at Barden Pit.  In addition there are two brothers-in-law serving, one in France and one at Salonika.

From The Express and Advertiser dated 16 March 1918: PLUCKY AND ARDENT.

Three Burnley Brothers have now been killed.  The toll was completed on February 25th when Private Roger Priest 39, 15139, King's Own Royal Lancaster surrendered his life in the cause of freedom. He enlisted in November 1914 and so much service. Once he was wounded in the leg. A married man, he leaves a widow and three children. Before the war Private Priest was a Collier at Barden it. He was on the Roll of Honour of St John's Ivy Street. His brothers were Frank and Patrick Priest. Although his discharge was offered him Roger Priest was too ardent a soldier to accept it.

Lived at 3 Trout Street.

Roger left his effects to his widow Sarah Jane.

Roger was buried in Struma Military Cemetery, Greece: Grave Ref; VII.H.8