Thursday 18 June 2015

Halstead, Daniel - Private (12519)

Pte Daniel Halstead
2nd Battalion,
East Lancashire Regiment,
Killed in action,
23rd October 1916,
Age 29,
Buried Bancourt British Cemetery

Newspaper Report: 

THREE KILLED AND ONE MISSING:

Information has been officially received that three Haslingden soldiers, Privates Daniel Halstead, Richard Barnes and John E Scrivener, all of the East Lancashire Regt., have been killed while in action in France, on the same day, October 23rd. 

PRIVATE HALSTEAD

Private Daniel Halstead is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs. George Halstead of 7a, Lower Lane, Haslingden.  He is 29 years of age, and enlisted immediately after the outbreak of war, on August 312st 1914.  On March 3rd, 1915, he went out to France.  He had sent letters home with great regularity, and in a recent letter emphasised the fact that though he had been so long in the fighting line he had never had a scratch.  He was of a cheerful and bright disposition, and was a devoted son and a loyal comrade. He was previously a weaver at Lambert's Mill, Carrs and was connected with the Parish Church and Schools.

Newspaper Memorials:

In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother, Pte. Daniel Halstead, killed in action October 23rd 1916, on the Somme.

"A sweet young life, 'midst shot and shell,
For king and country he nobly fell;
His duty's done, with a spirit brave,
God will watch o'er his soldier's grave."

From Father, Mother and Family, 7a Lower Lane, Haslingden. 

"Dry your eyes, my parents dear,
See the crown your son has won;
Try to see, amidst your sorrow,
God knows best, His will be done."

From his sorrowing father and mother, 7a Lower Lane.

"We prayed that God would keep the watch,
And shield him in the fray;
But alas! Our hopes were blighted,
When the sad news came that day,
Eternal honour give to those,
Who died that we might live."

Sadly missed by his sisters, Sophia and Dora.

"He left his home in perfect health,
He looked so young and brave;
We little thought how soon he'd be,
Laid in a soldier's grave.
No one knows the parting,
Or what the parting cost;
But God in His great mercy,
Hath gained what we have lost."

Always remembered by his sister, Susie, brother-in-law, Pat and children.

"A noble son, a loving brother, a brave soldier,
His service for the people,
His life for his country."

From his loving sister, Maggie and brother in law Chris.

"Take the soul that died for duty,
In Thy tender, pierced hand;
Crown with a crown of heavenly beauty,
A life laid down for the motherland."

From his sister, Lizzie, brother in law, Billy and children.

"Remembrance is the only thing that grief can call its own."
"Too dearly loved to be forgotten."

From his sister, Maria, and brother in law, Harry and baby Harry.

"Our thoughts often turn to an unknown grave,
Far away in a stricken land,
And sorrow comes o'er us in a bitter wave,
As we fail to understand."

Sadly missed by his loving Father and Mother.

"In victory's hour we'll not forget,
Our gallant brother sleeping;
In an unknown grave on the battlefield,
We'll leave him in God's keeping."

From his loving Sisters, Sophia and Dora.

"Under the shade of the dear old flag,
Out in a strange, lone land,
Lies one of the best and bravest lads,
Slain by the enemy's hand."

From his loving Sister and Brother in Law, Lizzie and Billy (in France), also his little Nephew, Tyson Daniel.

"We shall never forget the day,
Our brother said good-bye,
We never thought in a foreign land,
That he would have to die.

They say it is an honour,
To die for England's name,
But our hearts cry not for honour,
But to have our brother again."

Ever remembered by his Sister and Brother in law, Maria and Harry, and Baby Harry.

"He marched away so bravely,
His head so proudly held,
His footsteps never faltered,
His courage never failed.

Do not ask us if we miss him,
There is such a vacant place;
He fought and died for Britain,
And the honour of his race."

Ever remembered by his Sister and Brother in law, Susy and Pat, and his Nephews George and John.

"A day of remembrance that we shall never forget."

From his loving Sister and Brother in law, Maggie and Chris.

"Never forgotten,"

By his Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers and all relations, 7a Lower Lane, Haslingden.

"He never stopped to reason,
When first this war began,
But went out and did his duty,
Like a soldier and a man,
And when the last reveille sounds,
And the battle's won,
The Master whom he has gone to meet,
Will smile and say "Well done."
These are the men, we are proud to say,
That makes England what she is to-day."