Private Matthew Ackroyd aged 21

Matthew Ackroyd was born in Barrow in Furness. He worked at Maude’s Clog Factory and lived with his parents at 17 Halifax Lane.

His older brother Edwin had lost his life in September 1916. He like fellow villager Tom Summerscales was in the 27th Northumberland Fusiliers (aka Tyneside Irish).

He died on the first day of the Battle of Arras (April 9 1917). He has no known grave, but is commemorated on the Arras Memorial in France as well as in Ireland’s Memorial Records.

Mathew was reported missing in April but his death was not confirmed until June 1917.