Private Richard Lancaster
8372 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers 2nd 12 Bde 4 Div
Killed in Action 10th November 1914, aged 32
Lived at 41 Napier Street
Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
Finally buried at Prowse Point Cemetery, Belgium Commemorated on the St John's Gannow Memorial
Commemorated in Burnley Cemetery, UK
Burnley Express 10/2/1915 - 27/2/1915 - 21/4/2006 - 6/7/2007 - 13/7/2007 - 20/7/2007
Funeral of Pte. Richard Lancaster 4th July 2007

93 years on, funeral of fallen soldier (Burnley Express 9/3/2007)

A fallen Burnley soldier will finally be laid to rest 93 years after he was killed serving his country in the First World War.
Pte Richard Lancaster was cut down by enemy fire in November 1914, but until last year his remains had never been found.
It was last April, though, that the Burnley Express revealed that Pte Lancaster's body was found by amateur archaeologists in a field near Ploegsteert Wood, Ypres, along with two other soldiers.
Now a date has been set for the Burnley hero's funeral - July 3rd this year in Belgium, the country where he sacrificed his life for King and country.
Dad of four Pte Lancaster lived in Napier Street with his wife, Mary, and worked as a labourer. He was a former regular soldier called up as a reservist into the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers in 1914 and deployed with the British Expeditionary Force.
The BEF became known as the "Old Contemptibles" and despite being composed of 60% reservists it did well. Sadly, Pte Lancaster was killed in a night attack in support of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders on November 11th at Ploegsteert Wood. His dog tag, number 8372 was found along with scabbard, ammunition pouches, toothbrushes, razor, fork and spoon. Until the discovery, Pte Lancaster's name was consigned to the record books and to a plaque on the Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing- situated in Ypres (sic)
His great-grandson Mr Stephen Hoban of Killington Street, Burnley told the Express of the family's surprise and pride last April when Pte Lancaster's remains were discovered.
The East Lancashire Medal and Militaria Society is helping to organise a trip to Belgium for the funeral. The trip runs from July 1st to July 6th and also includes the funerals of other fallen soldiers.