Luke Fawcett

LUKE FAWCETT

Private 20879, East Lancashire Regiment

Died 16th October 1915 aged 35

Buried East Mudros Military Cemetery, Greece

Husband of Ann Fawcett

Lived 81, Brighton Street, Heckmondwike

Luke was born in April 1880 when his parents were living at Joan Royd, Heckmondwike. He was the eldest son of Abraham Fawcett and Mary Ann nee Hallas. He had an older sister Agnes born at the end of 1877 and three more siblings born before the family moved to Brighton Street, being on the 1891 census. A final son, Albert, completed the family in 1898.

Luke joined the army in 1903 serving with the King's Own Scottish Borders (see photo taken 1902) and was sent to Burma. He returned to Heckmondwike in 1905 and in 1906 married a Heckmondwike girl, Ann Wakefield. They were married 31st January 1906 at Birstall St.Peter’s Church. Unfortunately in 1911 they were living apart. Luke was with his parents in Brighton Street and Ann and her widowed mother, Martha, were living with Ann’s youngest sister Florence Jarvis at South Holme, Liversedge.

He re-enlisted in 1914/5 and was sent to Alexandria, Egypt for training on 7th July 1915. He was moved to the Dardenelles and wounded. He was transferred to a hospital ship but died of his wounds on 16th October 1915. He was buried at East Mudros Military Cemetery on the Island of Lemnos, Greece in Plot 3 Row B grave 49.

His name is also on St. James’ and St. Saviour’s War Memorials. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory medal.

His nephew Ernest Smith, who also lived in Brighton Street. died in WW1 in 1918. Ernest’s mother was Luke’s eldest sister Agnes. {MA-047}

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