Remembering the Fallen Sandgrounders

World War 1

William Sinclair

Died:01/07/1916

Rank: Sapper
Service: No: 97477
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Unit: 154th Field Company
Last Known Address: 58 Heysham Road, High Park, Southport
Burial Place: Bienvillers Military Cemetery, France

Biography: William was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. In civilian life he was a joiner.

SFC Playing Stats: To our knowledge, William did not make a first team appearance, yet according to the Southport Visiter he “assisted Southport Central”. Part of the famous Sinclair family, we believe he was a regular reserve.

Benjamin Rickerby

Died: 15/09/1916

Rank: Rifleman
Service No: 25/1111
Regiment: 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade
Unit: 3rd Bn.
Last Known Address: Masterton, Wellington, New Zealand
Burial Place: Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, Somme, France

Biography: 
Eldest son of Mr & Mrs Rickerby, Hampton Rd, Southport. Benjamin Rickerby was educated at the University School. He was a student for three years at Messrs. Platt and Hewetson, Vetinary Surgeons, following which he was three years at Dick’s Vetinary College, Edinburgh.
Rifleman Rickerby left Southport for New Zealand eight years prior to his death, and shortly after the commencement of war he enlisted in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. After a few weeks training (he has served in the Lancashire Hussars in pre-war days and only required short training) he was drafted to Egypt, and two months afterwards was drafted to France. After experiencing the severe fighting, when the New Zealanders were particularly singled out for bravery, he was killed in action of September 15th 1916. Ben Rickerby was well known locally, playing football for Southport Central. He played well in a well remembered game against Accrington Stanley, when only a few minutes from time, with no score, Rifleman Rickerby made a glorious run leaving Accrington Stanley’s goal keeper helpless with a terrific shot, thus giving Central victory. It was reported that a Southportonian collapsed and died through excitement at this match. He also played for Southport YMCA during their most successful period and for the later defunct Birkdale team, and also Everton Reserve. Whilst in Scotland he played regularly for his college team. Up to the time of his enlistment he was playing regularly in New Zealand. Rifleman Rickerby left a wife and child to mourn their loss.

Benjamin is one of 1,200 officers and men of the New Zealand Division who died in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

SFC Playing Stats: 8 Appearances, 1903-1905

Herbert Howarth

Died: 28/09/1916

Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 4240
Regiment: Kings Liverpool Regiment
Unit: 7^th Batallion
Last Known Address: Stamford Road, Birkdale
Burial Place: Dartmoor Cemetery, Somme, France

Biography: As a footballer he was very well known in Southport and district, having played for Southport Central for several seasons, assisting, particularly, the Reserves. He leaves a wife and six children with whom much sympathy will be felt. Previous to enlistment he was employed as a painter and decorator.

SFC Playing Stats: No known first team appearances

James Edwards

Died: 10/10/1916

Rank: Private
Service No: 17319
Regiment: North Lancashire Regiment
Unit: 9^th Batallion
Last Known Address: 31 Otway Street, Liverpool
Burial Place:  Thiepval, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France

Biography: “Joker Edwards” was a popular footballer with the Garston North End, Garston Gasworks, and Southport Central football clubs. Left a widow and two children.

SFC Playing Stats: 14 Games, 7 Goals, 1910

Richard Rainford

Died: 09/04/1917

Service No: 410863
Regiment: Eastern Ontario Regiment
Unit: Canadian Infantry
Burial Place: Villers Station Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Biography: Born on 17^th Feb 1886 in Southport, Richard played for Southport Central in 1906-07. He also played for Chester and in around 1913 went to live in Toronto from where he enlisted on May 8^th 1915. He served with the Canadian army in France and received a Canadian war decoration posthumously in removing a wounded officer under heavy fire to a place of safety. Before emigrating to Canada Rainford was employed by Messrs Buck and Hodson as a brick setter. Upon emigrating, he continued his trade in Toronto until the war broke out. 

SFC Playing Stats: 4 appearances, 1 Goal 1906-07

John Thomas Parkinson

Died: 15/06/1917

Rank: Private
Service No: 52830
Regiment: Durham Light Infantry
Unit: 68^th Company Machine Gun Section
Last Known Address: Tithebarn road
Burial Place: Railway dugouts burial Ground, Zillebeke, Ieper, Belgium

Biography: Previous to joining the Forces he was employed by Mr W. Johnson, Cycle Works, Churchtown. He joined the Cycle Regiment as a dispatch rider on March 1^st 1916, and was afterwards transferred to the Durham Light Infantry, and later to the Machine Gun Section. Private Parkinson was a well-known football player having played for Central Reserves, High Park and other clubs in the district. He was killed instantaneously by a shell, which fell immediately in front of him, so that he could have felt nothing.

SFC Playing Stats: 3 Appearances, 1909/10

Reginald Leaf Turnell

Died:23/11/1917

Rank: Second Lieutenant
Regiment: Middlesex Regiment
Unit: 13th Bn. attd 20th Bn.
Last Known Address: 126 Upper Aughton Road, Birkdale
Burial Place: Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France & on a brass plaque from St. Andrew’s Church, now in Christ Church, Lord Street, Southport

Biography: Richard was killed while leading his platoon into attack. Lieutenant Turnell joined the army at the outbreak of war. He underwent training with the Royal Flying Corps and received his commission in July 1916. He flew expeditions until October 1916 after which an accident prevented him remaining with the Corps. He was then transferred to the Middlesex regiment.

SFC Playing Stats: 9 Appearances 1912/13

Walter Stanley Rimmer

Died: 23/03/1918

Rank: Bombardier
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery
Service No: L/3373
Unit “D” Bty. 17^th Bde.
Last Known Address: Churchtown
Burial: Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France

Biography: died of pneumonia in hospital.  Prior to enlistment he was employed by the Southport Corporation as a plumber. He was a member of St. Cuthbert’s Church and Sunday School, and was also a member of the Churchtown Conservative Club. He was also a member of Trinity Cricket Club, and had formerly played for Southport Central Football Club.

SFC Playing Stats: 2 Appearances, 1916/17

Arthur Stringfellow

Died: 25/03/1918

Rank: Private
Service No: 242672
Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers
Unit: 1st/5th Bn.
Last Known Address: 27 Lionel St, Sutton, St Helens. Parents: 5 Whittaker St, Radcliffe, Manchester.
Burial Place: Arras Memorial, Bay 5.

Biography: Last seen walking to a first aid station after having been wounded in the arm. He has two siblings, Florence (3 years younger) and Albert (5 years younger), and worked as a “Finisher Maker Up” in 1911.

SFC Playing Stats: 173 Games, 61 Goals

John Henry (Jack) Wareing

Died:28/03/1918

Rank: Gunner
Service No: 118247
Regiment: Royal Field Artillery
Unit: 281st Brigade
Last Known Address: 133 Heysham Road, Southport
Burial Place: Anzin-St Aubin British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France

Biography: John was killed in action dying instantaneously, while serving his gun.

SFC Playing Stats: 21 Appearances, 1903-1906

Edward ‘Teddy’ John Lightfoot

Died:20/07/1918

Rank: Sergeant
Service No: 168781
Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery
Unit: 1st Siege Battery,
Last Known Address: 1 Sefton Street, Litherland
Burial Place: Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, Nord, France

Biography: Edward was the youngest son of Edward Lightfoot and Elizabeth Lightfoot (nee Williams). Edward enlisted in Seaforth, Lancashire. He was killed in action.
Perseus writing in the Lancashire Daily Post paid the following tribute “Edward Lightfoot was a splendid footballer but, more than that, he was a good sportsman and a player that respected both himself and his opponents. He has joined a noble company who will leave a big void in football”

SFC Playing Stats: 75 Appearances, 1909-1911

William Rigby

Died: 27/10/1918

Rank: Lance Sergeant
Service No: 52059
Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers, Formerly 34852 Liverpool Regiment
Unit: 1/8th Battalion
Last Known Address: 18 Devonshire Road, Southport
Burial Place: Duke Street Cemetery, Southport

Biography: Prior to enlisting he was employed by Messrs Heyes Bros, Leicester Street.

William died at a military hospital in Sunderland from wounds received. He was buried with full military honours.

The officiating minister at the funeral was the Rev W E Brook of All Souls, Blowick. A firing party was supplied by the Southport Volunteer League, and the “Last Post” was sounded at the graveside.

SFC Playing Stats: 58 Appearances 1913-1915 plus war-time appearances

World War 2

Leslie Cant

Died: 19/06/1943

Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 4466387
Regiment: Durham Light Infantry,
Unit: 16th Battalion.
Burial place: Bone War Cemetery Annaba, Algeria.

Biography: Though working in a steelworks in the early part of the war, he volunteered for service in the Durham Light Infantry. He was the sole survivor when six men were blown up in a dugout in the North African desert. Though he lost limbs, he clung on to life for nine weeks only to die on the operating table in a military hospital.

SFC Playing Stats: 11 Appearances, 1934/1935

Henry ‘Harry’ Salmon

Died: 30/07/1944, Caen France

Rank: Sarjeant
Service No: 5120865
Regiment: Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Unit: 1/7th Bn.,
Burial Place: Fonteney-le-Pesnel War Cemetary

Biography: Initially working on ammunitions, he was called up in 1940 and joined the Warwickshire Regiment; he took part in the D-Day landings but was killed when a mine exploded.

SFC Playing Stats: 25 Appearances, 1937/38

Jimmy ‘Tim’ Briscoe

Died: 10/06/1944 Mentefiascone, Viterbo, Italy

Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2661711
Regiment: Coldstream Guards
Unit: 2nd Bn.,
Burial Place: Bolsena War Cemetery

Biography: He was killed in action on the Italian front aged only 30, helping a comrade who had been shot by a sniper.

SFC Playing Stats: 2 Appearances, 1937/38