Corporal 2673, 1st/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. Died of wounds 21 December 1915. Born Cheshire, enlisted Wigan, Lancashire. Orphaned as a child along with his siblings. The children were separated and, after some time in the workhouse in Chester, George went to live with his mother's sister and her husband (William Jones) at 112, Petticoat Lane, Ince. Buried in TWELVE TREE COPSE CEMETERY, Turkey (including Gallipoli). Grave lost. Special Memorial. Row A. Grave 25.

Local newspaper article:

Corporal George Wilfred Bickley
(KILLED)

Mr. and Mrs. Jones, of 112, Petticoat-lane, Ince, have received the news that Corporal George Bickley has been killed in action. Corporal Bickley was in the 5th Manchester Regiment, and he enlisted in August, 1914, afterwards being drafted to the Dardenelles. The unfortuante soldier was 23 years of age, and lived with his uncle, Mr. William Jones, at the above address. He was very well-known and respected. The following is a copy of the letter ecieved by Mr. and Mrs. Jones: "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones,—I scarcely kow how to begin this letter to you, knowing what a shock the news it contains will be to you. Poor george was wounded yesterday morning and we have just had word that he died later in the day in hospital. I have not been able to get any particulars as to how he was wounded, but I do know that at the time he was jit he was gallantly leading his men, I am more sorry that I can express with my pen. Last Saturday evening I had a good chat with him in his dug-out. We were aware then that some move was about to take place, though we did not know when it was. George handed me a few photographs, which he asked me to look after and see that they were sent home if he happened to get hit. These along with some more of his belongingd I am forwarding to you by registered post. The funeral, at which I hope to be present, will take place this afternoon at four o'clock, in a little cemetery not far from where I am now sitting, and a wooden cross suitably inscribed will be erected to mark the spot. I do not know if there is anything more I can tell you, but if there is please let me know. All his friends join me in expressing their heartfelt sympathy with you in your trouble. He will be very much missed by us, both as a friend and a true British soldier, always ready and willing, and a man who never shirked a duty with never a thought of the danger involved.— Yours respectfully, Corporal Entwistle."

Corporal 4523, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers attached to 12th Trench Mortar Battery. Died of wounds 21 March 1918. Born and enlisted Wigan, Lancashire. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.). Went to France 2 December 1914, joined 'C' Company 11 August 1914. Buried in FAUBOURG D'AMIENS CEMETERY, ARRAS, Pas de Calais, France. Plot VII. Row B. Grave 12.

Distinguished Conduct Medal Citation [London Gazette dated 8 December 1916 - page 12113 Supplement issue dated 11 December 1916, as a Private, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusliliers]:

4523 Pte. J. Donnelly, Lancs. Fus.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He was buried with his machine gun; after being dug out he worked unceasingly under heavy fire to rescue his gun. Later, he rescued five men who had been buried.

A Wigan paper cutting gives extended citation details; "The Mayor said he had been requested by Western Command to act on behalf of the King to present Cpl Donnelly the DCM. The facts of the deed for which the medal had been awarded were that on the 12th October 1916, Corporal Donnolly's battalion was engaged during those awful days to take a place between Transloy and Bapaume. The whole of the men with whom he was operating were buried by the explosion of a shell. He was engaged with a trench mortar and he was the only one of the party, although he too was partly buried, who could possibly render any service. He freed himself and in spite of heavy shell fire he went to his comrades’ assistance and got them out of the morass. Two days later he went out under heavy fire and brought in one of our wounded officers from the German barbed wire entanglements. Unfortunately the officer died but those were two cases of bravery which brought him under the notice of the authorities." He died of wounds on 21st March 1918 on the first day of the German Spring Offensive a newspaper cutting records. “Mrs Bridget Donnelly of 68 Hardybutts, Wigan, has received the sad news that her son, Corporal John Donnelly DCM has died of wounds in France." The letter conveying the sad intelligence said that Corporal Donnelly was in a house a few miles behind the lines, when a shell struck the house and Donnelly was severely wounded in the head and he died a few hours later. Lieut Lennon whose letters conveys the news, says "I knew your son well, and thought a great deal of him. We had often been on duty together in the lines and he was absolutely splendid under heavy fire. He was one of my best NCOs."

Extract from Wigan Observer and District Advertiser - Saturday 27 October 1917, page 5:

WIGAN HERO HONOURED
MAYOR PRESENTS D.C.M.

At the conclusion of the business of the Wigan Education Authority on Wednesday evening the Mayor (Councillor J. I’Anson Cartwright) invited the members to join him in giving honour to one of their fellow townsmen, Corporal Donnelly, of 64 Hardybutts and the Lancashire Fusiliers.

His Worship said he had been requested by the officers in charge of Western Command to act on behalf of His Majesty the King to hand to Corporal Donnelly the Distinguished Conduct, Modal. The facts of the deed for which the medal had been awarded were that on the 12th October, 1916, Corporal Donnelly’s battalion was engaged during those awful days to take a place between Transloy and Bapaume. The whole of the men with whom he was operating were buried by the explosion of a shell. He was engaged with a trench mortar, and be was the only one of the party, although he too was partly buried, who could possibly render any service. He freed himself, and in spite of heavy shell fire he went to his comrades' assistance, and got them out of the morass (Applause.) Two days later he went out under heavy fire, and brought in one of our wounded officcis from the German barbed wire entanglements. Unfortunately the officer died, but those were two cases of bravery which had brought him under the notice of the authorities, and they had through him (the Mayor) given Corporal Donnelly the Distinguished Conduct Medal as a mark of heroism on the part of another worthy citizen of Wigan, who in the dire peril of his fellowmen considered not his own life nor the risk he was running so long as he was able to render them good service. (Applause.) He had the greatest’ possible pleasure in pinning the medal on the gallant soldier's breast, an honour which was next to the Victoria Cross, and he hoped Corporal Donnclly would be able for many years to wear it as an honour so hardly won, and so richly deserved. (Applause.)

Corporal Donnelly, who was deeply touched by the reception which had been given him, and by the words of the Mayor, said, in reply: Ladies and Gentlemen,—l am very proud to come here and to have received this medal at your hands. I feel that what I did was but what any other Wigan lad would have done, and what Wigan lads are doing, and every one of whom deserves the D.C.M. or the V.C. I thank you, gentlemen. (Applause.)

Corporal Donnelly received the personal congratulations of the Mayor, the Chairman of the Education Authority, and every member present.

Extract from Wigan Observer and District Advertiser - Saturday 26 December 1918, page 1:

LOST, between Welllngton-street and Scholes. D.C.M. MEDAL, belonging to Cpl. J. Donnelly. 2nd Batt Lancs. Fusiliers.-Will finder please return to 68, Hardybatts, Scholes, Wigan.

either Wilfred WILKINSON, Private PLY/970(S), 1st R.M. Battalion R.N. Div., Royal Marine Light Infantry. Died 17 February 1917. Aged 21. Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Wilkinson, of "North View," 3, West Wood Lane, Lower Ince, Wigan. Born at Hindley. No known grave. Commemorated on QUEENS CEMETERY, BUCQUOY France. II. L. 4.

or William WILKINSON, Private 18933, 1st Battalion, Border Regiment. Died 13 August 1917. Aged 27. Son of James Wilkinson, of 12, Water St., Brook St., Higher Ince, Wigan. No known grave. Commemorated on YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL, Belgium. Panel 35.