Soldiers of the South Lancashire Regiment - Killed by 'Friendly Fire'

On the 7th September 1914 the War Diary reported, in no uncertain terms, Captain Shore's dismay at what would these days be called an incident of "friendly fire".

At 12.15 p.m. the Battalion left Montlevon and marched to Trouchet. Here 'C' & 'D' Coys were detailed to drive a wood in an easterly direction to a point at Mouroux. Private Hall & Private Woods were both wounded by shells fired by their own Artillery into the wood whilst the men were being lined up to drive it.

(This could have been either Pte. 7871 J Hall or Pte 7373 O Hall, both of 'D' Company. It is unclear which Pte. Woods as all those listed in the Battalion were reported missing after Audregnies.)

The tone taken later in the day's report is surprisingly personal. Captain Shore wrote:

"I was given orders direct from a Staff Officer of the 5th Div to execute this drive. The shells fired by our Artillery into this wood were fired by orders of Brig Gen Cuthbertson - They were fired directly against the line of advance of the 15th Infantry Brigade Group - This wood had been searched by the Lancs. that morning. On our searching it again 6 dead men of that Regt were found and their pay books taken by Capt Rich."

It is clear that Captain Shore is keen to apportion blame where it rightfully lay.

The following 5 men of Lancashire Regiments would appear to be those who were killed in action or died of their wounds on that day (there is no record of a sixth casualty):

Daniel BAINES
Rank:	Private 6822
Age:	31
Date of Death:	7 September 1914 (Killed in Action)
Additional Information:	Born: at St Helens, Lancs. Enlisted: Warrington, Lancs. Husband of Elizabeth Ann Baines, of 58 Pigot St., St. Helens, Lancs.
Buried/Commemorated:	LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL
Grave Number:	Commemorated on wall

John BRITTON
Rank:	Sargeant 8167
Age:	n/k
Date of Death:	7 September 1914 (Killed in Action)
Additional Information:	Born: at Warrington, Lancs. Enlisted: Warrington, Lancs.
Buried/Commemorated:	LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL
Grave Number:	Commemorated on wall

Archibald Frank Percival JONES
Rank:	Private 7876
Age:	29
Date of Death:	7 September 1914 (Died of wounds)
Additional Information:	Born: at Shepherd's Bush, Middlesex. Enlisted: London. Son of Mrs. A. 1. Priestley, of South St., Epsom. Born at Wimbledon, London.
Buried/Commemorated:	PERREUSE CHATEAU FRANCO BRITISH NATIONAL CEMETERY
Grave Number:	I. D. 29.

Thomas LOVATT
Rank:	Private 7229
Age:	29
Date of Death:	7 September 1914 (Killed in Action)
Additional Information:	Born: at Bootle, Lancs. Enlisted: Warrington, Lancs. Son of the late Jabus and Sarah Ellen Lovatt, of 10 Holywood Rd., Aigburth, Liverpool; husband of Margaret Scott, (formerly Lovatt), of 3 Forge Cottages, Lark Lane, Liverpool.
Buried/Commemorated:	LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL
Grave Number:	Commemorated on wall

Martin McGOVERN
Rank:	Private 7457
Age:	n/k
Date of Death:	7 September 1914 (Killed in Action)
Additional Information:	Born: at Birkenhead, Cheshire. Enlisted: Warrington, Lancs.
Buried/Commemorated:	LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL
Grave Number:	Commemorated on wall