Soldier Record
James Maguire
Contributed by: Elaine Parker, on 2008-11-11
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | James |
| Surname | Maguire |
| Year of Birth | Unknown |
| Year of Death | 1916 |
| Regiment | Lancashire Fusiliers |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Blackburn, Lancashire |
James's Story
Ellen was just 5 years old when her father James left to go to the front line for the last time. She was never to see him again. He died near the town of Arras and is one of the thousands who have no known grave.
It was an extraordinarily moving experience to watch her as she found his name in the Book of Remembrance
Ellen was my Grandma and she talked of him often. In particular, she talked of his desire not to have to use his bayonet on the enemy (we understand that he died without ever doing so) and also she talked of her sadness that she never got to say goodbye.
I was lucky enough to be able to take her to Arras for her 80th birthday. It was an extraordinarily moving experience to watch her as she found his name in the Book of Remembrance at the Arras Memorial and then as she left the message "Goodnight Dad" in the visitor book.
I know of the far reaching consequences of the war - not just in the cost of lives but in the impact of losing loved ones. My Grandma's life was changed in so many ways. But most of all because she was deprived of her Dad.
No additional memories have been submitted