Rifleman Edwin Ackroyd aged 20

Edwin Ackroyd was born in Barrow-in-Furness in 1886. His family moved to Luddenden and in the 1901 census, they are living on Applehouse Terrace.

By the time of his enlistment in 1915 was living at 17 Halifax Lane and working at Watson’s Mill in Sowerby Bridge. Following basic training with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps was sent to France. In September 1916, during the terrible chaos of the Battle of the Somme, he was severely wounded and lost his life.

Like so many other brave men from the conflict he has no known grave, but he is remembered on the Thiepval Monument File:ACKROYD EDWIN.pdf on the Somme as well as in Luddenden.

His brother Matthew also gave his life in April 1917.

Photos provided by Dianne Harwood

Press Cuttings from Halifax Courier