Bernard's Story.
Youngest son of Mr. Charles Duckworth of “Earlsfield”, Groby Road, Altrincham, Cheshire. Manufacturers and Merchants of 43 George Street, Manchester.
Educated at Bowden College and Trent College, Nottingham. Employed by Messrs. Sparrow, Hardwick and Co. of Manchester.
Enlisted in September 1914 and received his commission on 3rd June 1915. Drafted out at the end of November 1915. He was killed leading a party in an attack on a strong point in the centre of Longueval on the Somme. Bernard’s men first came under crossfire from two machine guns from long range. They were then shelled by artillery fire of barrage proportions. Nearly all the men were killed and a second party lead by Second Lieutenant William Thomas Prout was also similarly dealt with. None of the men, or either of the Officers, were ever seen again. A search party lead by Second Lieutenant Berthelemy, who were dispatched to look for them, were forced to retire.
Extract from Altrincham and Bowdon Guardian, 11th August 1916.
Mr and Mrs Charles Duckworth, Earlsfield, Groby Road, Altrincham, have been informed that their youngest son, Second Lieutenant Bernard Duckworth (21), was killed whilst leading his men. On Wednesday he was reported wounded, but on Saturday the following letter was received from Captain W.H.G.Barker “I am writing to express my deepest sympathy with you in your great and sad loss. Your son was killed whilst leading his men to the assault. His loss is mourned by the whole regiment, both officers and men, with whom he was a great favourite. Of his ability as an officer I cannot speak too highly, and his place in the regiment will be difficult to fill both professionally and socially. On several occasions his gallantry has been brought to notice, and he was recently recommended for a decoration, which I regret to say, he did not receive.”
Researched by Don Rustage