Lawrence Hutchinson - Cameron Highlanders

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PENDLETON FATHER FINDS SON’S GRAVE

One of the most remarkable incidents likely to occur during the present war concerns a family named Hutchinson, well known in the Whit Lane, Charlestown district, and associated with the Pendleton Colliery since the shafts were sunk. William Hutchinson who, like his father, worked at the colliery, went through the South African War, and on the outbreak of the present European struggle he enlisted in the Rifle Brigade. Subsequently information was received by his relatives, though not officially confirmed, that he had been killed in France and his son immediately joined the Cameron Highlanders and was soon in the fighting line. Meanwhile his father had been transferred to the transport section of the Rifle Brigade and it was while engaged in conveying supplies to the troops at the immediate front that he came across his own son’s grave. He immediately sent home for the requisite funds to erect a fitting memorial to his soldier son, and this he has accomplished. An elaborate cross, a photograph of which has been submitted to us, bears the following inscription – “In Loving memory of Lance-Corporal Lawrence Hutchinson, 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders, killed in action 18th July 1916. Erected by his loving father of the Rifle Brigade.”

LAWRENCE HUTCHINSON
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service No: 16947
Date of Death: 18/07/1916
Age: 20
Regiment/Service: Cameron Highlanders 7th Bn.
Grave Reference IV. H. 27.
Cemetery VERMELLES BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information: Son of William and Sarah Hutchinson, of 6, Hills Place, Union St., Whit Lane, Pendleton, Salford.


Lawrence is remembered on the St Thomas, Pendleton memorial and on a family grave in Agecroft Cemetery.