Lives of the First World War

Newspaper article entitled 'Padiham Woman on Pension List. Husband missing since September' Mrs. Hirst, of Bright Street, Padiham, wife of Private J. W. Hirst, of the Black Watch, who has been missing since September 16th, has received an official intimation from the War Office that she has been placed on the Army pension list, as all hope is now abandoned concerning her husband. Previous to being called up in August, Pte. Hirst was employed as a weaver at Messrs. Green's Jubilee Mill. PHOTOGRAPH HERE It was first reported that Pte. John William Hirst had been missing since the fighting at Mons, but he was later officially posted as missing from September 16th. He was a reservist, and was called up on August 5th at the outbreak of hostilities. He joined the Army at the time of the South African War, but before the present war was never engaged in anything but home service.

Local soldiers killed in action

J.W.Hirst's photograph on the Roll of Honour - writing below his image: Royal Highlanders, Black Watch, missing Sept 14th 1914

John's parents, called: John and Ann

"The Small Book" - confirming the number matches the Lives of the First World War information.

Memorial intended to commemorate the operations of the British Expeditionary Force in August, September, and the early part of October, 1914, and to record the names of the Officers and men who fell in those operations and whose graves are not known.

Front of card - details of how he died - please read photograph

Back of card - further information such as: His name is on the Edinburgh War memorial. He was killed alongside Harry Harrison and Thomas Berry. At the time of his death, Private John William Hirst was involved in the 'Battle of Aisne'. Possible location - near Chemin Des Dames. Other references to books he is named in.

This was J.W.Hirst's wife.

J.W.Hirst's wife and youngest daughter, Dorothy. She was born after he died.

J.W.Hirst and his wife, Elizabeth Agnes, had 4 children. Picture are the three eldest: (from left to right) Clifford, Gladys and George. The fourth child was called Dorothy.

Sons of J.W.Hirst

Gladys was the eldest of four children. The others were: George, Clifford and Dorothy.

This is J.W.Hirst's youngest daughter. He never met her. She was born February 28th, 1915. John William Hirst was killed in action in September 2014.

This is the last photograph taken of John's wife, Elizabeth.

Hirst family

Missing