100 Stories > Harry Riddle (d. 1916)
A list of names in a memorial; they demand a moment of reflection and contemplation.
The website www.burnleyinthegreatwar.info honours the men from Burnley and the local area who served in the Great War. The site includes the Burnley Roll of Honour. This lists the 3,700 Burnley men killed and the 14,000 who served but survived the 1914-1918 war: “The ever increasing casualties incurred as the war progressed were reported in the Burnley Express. Initially under the blunt heading The Death Roll but later under the more acceptable title Our Fallen Heroes.”
Driver Harry Riddle is one name amongst the 3,700. He served in the Royal Field Artillery, and died on 1st July 1916. 109 men from Burnley died on the same day.
Harry was survived by his wife and two daughters, Eveline and Edith, and he is commemorated in the roll of honour on display at Towneley Hall. But Harry’s name lives on not only in lists: he is remembered by his descendants today. The framed photograph of Harry is kept by Eveline’s grand daughter.
Between Saturday 6th Oct -Sat 19th January 2018 there is an exhibition of local memorials at Towneley Hall.
