Lives of the First World War

As awarded to John Richard Hitchen for service in the Great War (Source: MIC)

The Window was placed at the north end of the Church in devout and grateful memory of the twenty seven brave and gallant men from this Church and School who lost their lives in the great European War of 1914-1918, namely: Fred Ashworth John W. Hitchen Fred Scholes John B. Ashworth James Heys Harry Scholes Ronald Bradley Jesse Lord Hubert Scholes Fred Bradley James McMurray George Taylor Ralph Bridge Edgar Plane Joseph Taylor William E. Crawshaw Fred Ridehalgh Fred Taylor Wilfred Crowther William R. Ridehalgh Richard H. Taylor Joseph Davidson Charles W. Rayner Albert Woodhead Percy Horsfield Silvester Redman Robert Whittaker The Memorial Window "Lest we Forget." The Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony was performed on Saturday 19th March 1921. The Church was demolished in April 1987 and it is presumed that the Memorial was lost at that time.

John Richard Hitchen is also commemorated (incorrectly as John W Hitchen) on this framed memorial. The upper section of the Memorial records the names the 27 Members of the Congregation of Bethlehem Unitarian Church, Newchurch-in-Rossendale who gave their lives in the Great War. The lower section records the names of the 83 other Members of the Congregation who served and returned.

John Richard Hitchen was serving in 35th Company at the time of his death

Number 104 dated August 1917. "William" is used here - however connect Service Record and see that "John Richard" is used at the "Townsend Street, Waterfoot" address.

Despite several variations on his first name(s), "Mrs Eleanor (or E.) Hitchen" of "Townsend Street, Waterfoot" maintains the continuity within the Service Record and Church Records..

Number 107 dated November 1917 - "vote of deep sympathy"