Sergeant Andrew Rice. 

241564 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment.

Killed in Action 9th October 1917, aged 32.

Andrew was born in the Sept quarter of 1886 in Burnley. The son of William Rice and Julia Roper.

In the 1901 census the family were living with a William Moore’s family at 28 Leyland Rd, Burnley. William 45 spinner, Julia 46, Timothy 16 miner, Andrew miner Julia 2.

Andrew married Betsy Moore in the Sept quarter of 1907 in Burnley.

In the 1911 census they lived at 57 Parkinson St Burnley. Andrew 25, blacksmiths striker, Betsy 32 weaver, Clarence 2 and Ann Moore Andrew’s mother-in-law age 69 all were born in Burnley.

From The Express and Advertiser dated 27th October 1917: OUR FALLEN HEROES. A MODEL SERGEANT.

The former Secretary of the Gasworkers and General Labourers Club Burnley, Sergeant Andrew Rice 32, 241564, East Lancs was killed in action on October 9th.  Sergeant Rice who's home address was 57 Parkinson Street, enlisted in May 1915 and went on Active Service in February 1917. He was a married man and leaves a wife and one child. In civil life he was a blacksmith striker at the Gasworks. A soldier brother of the Sergeant has also been killed during the war. Second Lieutenant F E Smith writing to Mrs Rice on October 13th stated: "Your husband was killed in action during an attack on the 9th inst. I am happy to say that death was instantaneous, and he died as a hero, leading his men and thinking nothing of himself. He was ever a model Sergeant, and his fine character, high sense of duty, and determination to do well at all times made him stand out from his fellows as a born leader of men and a magnificent soldier."

From The Express and Advertiser dated 27 October 1917: ROLL OF HONOUR.

RICE.- Killed in action on October 9th 1917, Sgt Andrew Rice (241564) East Lancashire Regiment aged 32. From his wife and only son 57 Parkinson Street.

From The Express and Advertiser dated 12th October 1918: IN MEMORIAM

RICE.- In ever loving memory of Sgt Andrew Rice 241564 who fell in Action on October 9th 1917.

From his wife and son, 57 Parkinson Street.

 From The Express and Advertiser dated 11 October 1919: IN MEMORIAM

RICE.- In loving memory of Andrew Rice, late a Sergeant in 2 / 5th East Lancs Regiment, who was killed in action on October 9th 1917. From his wife and son.

Lived at 57 Parkinson Street.

Andrew left his effects to his widow Betsy.

Andrew is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium: Panels 47 to 79.