Private Harry Manders
17052 5th Shropshire Light Infantry
Killed in Action 21st January 1916, aged 16
Lived at 15 Newcastle Street
Buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium I. B. 17.
Burnley Express 9/2/1916 - 3/2/1917 - 3/2/1917

Burnleys Great War Centenary

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Harry Manders was the son of George and Sarah Elizabeth Manders of 15 Newcastle Street, Burnley. He enlisted in Burnley in May 1915 as Private 17052 5th Battalion. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

The Burnley Express of Jan 29th 1916 reported that:-
“ Sixteen Year Old Killed. Sad News From Another Youth.
Last May there left Burnley three youths of 16 who entered the Shropshire Light Infantry together. One has been killed, another wounded and the third had the unpleasant duty of informing the parents of the first of their misfortune. They were fine strapping lad and seemed older than they were. In fact, it was the well built appearance of the Burnley youth that led to his entering the army, no one believing he was so young.
A fortnight ago we mentioned that Pte. Bland, of Hapton, had been wounded, and yesterday morning a letter from Pte. G Duffy, of Oswaldtwistle, of the 5th Battalion of the Shropshire Regt., was received by Mr Manders, railway passenger guard, of 15 Newcastle Street, Burnley notifying that his son Harry had been killed.
Under date January 22nd, Pte. Duffy wrote:- “I am writing to break the sad news that your son, Harry, died of wounds on the 21st inst. He was shot in the back and did not live very long after. I thought it was my duty to let you know as he was my best pal. The men of the company send their deepest sympathy in your sad loss.” Pte. Manders who was six feet one inch in height and attained his 16th birthday on March 29th last had worked as a weaver at Brierley’s Calder Vale Mill. An uncle, Harry Manders who was equally tall, succumbed during the siege of Ladysmith, he being in the Royal Engineers

Burnley Express of Feb 9 1916 reported:-
“Young Burnley Hero. Killed Whilst Rescuing A Comrade.
In our issue of January 29th we published a photograph of Pte. Harry Mandsers, of the Shropshire Light Infantry, who has been killed in France. The news came from a comrade, and on Saturday this was officially confirmed by the War Office. The soldier, who was only 16 years of age, having been killed on the 21st Ult.
The parents have this week received a letter from Ptes. Scholes and Moss, and this shows that their son met his death whilst trying to rescue a wounded comrade. The soldiers wrote:- “We are friends of your son and are writing on behalf of the company. We are sorry to say that he was killed the last time we were in the trenches. We are grieved to lose him as he was a hero of whom we are all proud. He met his death bravely whilst carrying a wounded comrade. Your son volunteered to go for him notwithstanding the machine gun fire and rifle fire of the enemy. Two stretcher bearers and your son carried the wounded man to the trench , and as your son was getting over he was hit in the back. He lived about an hour and was conscious all the time. He said he had no pain. All the company send you their sympathy, as your son was a good soldier and a hero. We have ascertained that he was buried in a small village about two miles from the trench.”
The Burnley Express of Feb 7th 1917 reported:-
“A Scout’s Heroism. Bishop Unveils Burnley Memorial.
Last evening the Bishop of Burnley unveiled in the Pickup Croft School a memorial portrait of the late Pte. Harry Manders, of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, of 15 Newcastle Street Burnley, who died of wounds on January 21st 1916. The young soldier was connected with the St Peter’s Boy Scouts, and the memorial had been established through their efforts.

The Rev. C. H. Townson, presiding, said that although he did not know Harry personally, he was proud to do to have anything to do with a troop in which harry had worked as a scout. The gathering was a representative one, invitations having been sent to the parents and relatives, Harry’s workmates, representatives of the C.E.M.S., the boys’ Sunday school which he attended, and especially the class he attended, and the scouts and ex-scouts.

Assistant Scoutmaster Walmsley described the inauguration of the troop through the instrumentality of the C.E.M.S.. Although they had to attend with difficulties and nine of their members had joined the army, they had about 35 members and a balance in hand of the general fund of £3.

Three lads took the Scout oath, and were presented with badges by the Bishop. A.S.M. Walmsley was given his third year’s service badge.

The Chairman stated that Harry Manders had joined the troop in May 1914, passed his tenderfoot test on June 27th 1914 and his second class on May 1st 1915. He received the Scout’s special service badge for guard and hospital duty 1914-1915. He was 16 years of age on March 25th 1915 and on May 8th he joined the Shropshire Light Infantry. He died a hero’s death on the following January 21st. Lce-Corpl.
E. Evans had written describing Harry’s death. His own platoon was being relieved from the fire trenches and Harry’s platoon was going in. he had just got out of the firing line when the Germans opened fire and he was shot through both legs, falling by the side of a shell hole. Not long after Harry came out to him and tried to carry him, but he was too heavy, so Harry helped him into the shell hole and went off to get someone to help him. Before leaving Harry gave him a drink of water out of his bottle. About ten minutes later Harry came out by himself, and he had just got on top when he was shot. He (Lce-Corp. Evans) heard him shout “Oh!” and saw him drop back into the trench. ASM Walmsley endeavoured to see if recognition could be obtained for his brave deed, but was not successful. The ASM then turned to the troop who took the matter up enthusiastically and sold over 2,500 scent cards realising over £6 which covered the cost of the portrait and plate.

The Bishop then unveiled the portrait, which is a most life like one of the young hero. Addressing the gathering, the Bishop said; “ You heard just now the story of his death. I envy the manner of it. If I had ten sons I would be glad if each of them had died as nobly as he has died. His was a trustworthy life - a life that was showing all the signs here of being honourable, profitable to the community in which God’s Providence had placed him, helpful to friends and neighbours. It has been cut off, not in any quarrel of his own, not in any action where anger or pride led him into battle, but just in the doing of the duty of which our country called him, as it has called so many thousands of noble lives. We older folks who marked them go could do nothing but pray for them.”
The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem and the sounding of the salute.”

The Burnley News reported as well:-
“Addressing the scouts assembled his Lordship said he trusted that before they were old enough to take their part in military service peace might have brought to an end this most bitter and frightful conflict”.
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Notes
Burnley Express. Nov 28 1917 In Memorium entry “from his chum Edwin Porter 53rd Royal Fusiliers.”
Newcastle Street was near the Railway Station and is now a retail park.

Courtesy of S Bury