Private David Jolly
15747 11th East Lancashire Regiment
Died of Wounds 9th July 1916, aged 22
Lived at 15 Hart Street
Buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Ext. No.1, France - IV.D.22
St Peters Memorial, Burnley
Commemorated on Burnley Lads Club Memorial
Burnley Express 22nd July 1916

David Jolly was born at Burnley the son of William Henry and Annie Elizabeth Jolly of 15, Hart Street. He enlisted in Burnley in September 1914 as Private 15747 in the “Burnley Pals” Company of 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (“Accrington Pals”) and died on Sunday 9th July 1916 aged 23 from wounds received on the 1st July 1916 – the First Day of the Battle of the Somme. He is buried at Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 1, Somme. Grave IV D 2. His family had the inscription “He never will be forgotten by those who loved him best” engraved on his gravestone.

Doullens is a town 30 kilometres north of Amiens on the road to Arras. Doullens was an important railhead and was Marshal Foch’s headquarters early in the war and the scene of the Conference in March 1918 when he took command of the Allied Armies. From March 1916 the 19th Casualty Clearing Station came to Doullens followed by the 41st, the 35th and the 11th and until April 1918 the British Medical units used this Cemetery for burials. Over 1000 1914 –18 war casualties are commemorated on this site.

The Burnley Express of July 22nd 1916 reported that:- “Lads’ Club Boy. Died From Wounds"

One of the boys who followed Captain H. D. Riley from the Burnley Lads’ Club into the “Pals” Battalion (11th) of the East Lancashire Regiment was Pte. David Jolly (15747) whose parents and grandparents live at 15 Hart Street and news has been received that he had been severely wounded in the stomach on July 1st and was in hospital in France. Yesterday morning the parents received notification from the record Office at Preston to say that Pte. Jolly died from his wounds on July 9th in Number 35 Casualty Clearing Station.
Pte. Jolly, who was 22 years of age enlisted in September 1914, and was previously a weaver at Thornber’s Park Shed. He was a St Peter’s Day and Sunday School boy and had been connected with Burnley Lads Club since he was a boy.
His father Private W Jolly is in the Veteran Reserve and is guarding prisoners in the Isle of Man and uncle Driver Fred Metcalfe is in the Army Service Corps and went through the Boer War; whilst his brother Ernest Jolly is with King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.”

The 11th (Service) Battalion War Diary for 1st July 1916 states:-
“Attacked Serre from Mark Copse to Matthew Copse. When they advanced heavy rifle and machine gun fire was opened in enfilade. A heavy artillery barrage was also placed on our front line trenches. From information brought back by the wounded it appeared that only a few reached the enemy front line and were able to enter the trenches owing to the intensity of machine gun and rifle fire”

The battalion suffered horrific casualties with 223 men being killed and 10 dieing from wounds of whom 38 were men who were born in Burnley or enlisted there.

Notes.
David Jolly was christened at St Peter’s Church on 27/6/1894. His parents were William Henry and Annie Elizabeth of Master Street. His father’s occupation was listed as clerk.
David Jolly was admitted to St Peter’s Infant School on 16/8/1897. He was born on 7/6/94 and his father was William H Jolly of 59, Master Street. David was admitted to St Peter’s Mixed School on 11/8/1902.
1901 Census – 13 Godley Street – William Henry Jolly (30), commercial clerk, Annie E. (30) born Wilsten Yorkshire, Ethel (5), David (6), Fred (1 month) all born in Burnley. George Metcalfe, boarder, widower Hotel Barman born in Garstang.
Burnley Express of July 29th 1916 “Thanks. Mr and Mrs Jolly, family, and grandfather wish to thank all relatives and friends for their kind expressions of sympathy in their sad bereavement.-. 15 Hart Street.