Private Albert Edward Hargreaves
308172 8th Liverpool Regiment
Killed in Action 19th July 1917, aged 24
Lived at 1 Dean Street
Buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium
St Peters Memorial, Burnley
Burnley Express 4th August 1917

Albert Edward Hargreaves was born in Burnley and was the husband of Elizabeth Hargreaves of 1 Dean Street, (near Holy Trinity Church) Burnley. He enlisted in Burnley and served as Private 308172 in the 1st/8th Battalion of the The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). He was killed in action on Friday 20th July 1917 aged 34 and is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Ypres in Grave I H 41. His family placed the inscription “He died that we might live” on his gravestone.

The Burnley Express and Burnley News of August 4th 1917 reported that:-
“Conservative Canvasser.

Mrs Hargreaves, 1 Dean Street, Burnley, has been informed of the death of her husband, Pte. Albert Edward Hargreaves, 308172, King’s Liverpool Regt. He was killed through the bursting of a shell on July 19th. He joined up on September 13th last year and landed in France on New Year’s Eve. Pte. Hargreaves was connected with Pickup Croft School (St Peter’s Parish) where he was a member of the cricket club. He had also been a footballer. He was an Oddfellow and a member of the Queen Victoria Lodge. As a beamer he worked at Tunstill’s Woodfield Mill for 14 years, but latterly he worked at Stansfield’s George Street Shed. A large number of relatives are serving but his is the first casualty. His wife has eighteen cousins with the forces. Pte. Hargreaves was a canvasser for the Conservative party in St Peter’s Ward and was well known in the town.

His wife has received the following letter:- ‘Dear Mrs Hargreaves, - I very much regret to inform you that your husband, 308172 Pte Hargreaves was killed by a shell whilst on duty in the trenches and death was instantaneous. Your husband was an excellent soldier, and cheerfully and willingly performed his duties either in or out of the trenches. His loss is greatly felt by many of his comrades who with me, offer you their deepest sympathy.’”

Notes
In the Burnley Express Roll of Honour July13 1918 he was remembered by his sister and brother Mary and Will. Chum Herbert 95 Gannow Lane

Albert was also commemorated on the Pickup Croft Sunday School Memorial which was dedicated on 16th September 1922. Pickup Croft was a mission church of St Peter’s Parish and was also used as an Infant School.