DURING a recent trip to the Somme area, we visited the grave of Private Thomas Halliwell, No. 18014 (brother of Joel Halliwell VC) in the Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension.
On signing the visitors’ book, we were astonished to read that he had two visitors, Bob and Gary from Cannock, Wolverhampton, only five days previously.
I’m wondering if these names mean anything to the Bliss family at all.
Among other cemeteries on our agenda was the St Hilaire Cemetery Extension in Frevent, Pas de Calais, where I was particularly drawn to a certain grave bearing the name of Private James Halliwell, No. 33820, who served in the 16th Btn. of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
He died at the age of 28 on July 3, 1918. The cemetery records book showed he was the son of James and Mary Halliwell, husband of Alice who lived at 406 Darwen Road, Dunscar, Bolton, just half a mile from where I now live.
What a strange co-incidence!
All the cemeteries are immaculately kept and looking back at the white headstones in straight lines, it seemed as though they were on parade in the warm autumn sunshine.
Mrs Glenys Alice Ellis New Court Drive Egerton
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