JOHN ALICK POWELL 

St. Mary's Weaveram Role of Honour records 4 four lads named Powell;

J. Powell, (Is this John T. Powell father of John Alick, Samuel E. and James William Powell or could it be J. W. Powell, “Fallen”?)

J. A. (John Alick) Powell;

S.E. Powell;

W. Powell.

The main “Fallen” Memorial records two lads named Powell;

J. W. (James William) Powell; (Cheshirebmd record the birth of a James W. Powell in 1889, and a second lad in 1897, W/ham.) (This lad is listed on the main “Fallen” memorial but does not appear to be on the R.o.H. plaque as J.W. Powell.)

Jn. A. (John Alick) Powell;

The Guardian article on the death of John Alick Powell states his father, “Private J. T. Powell has seen service at the front and is now at the depot at Chester” but there is no J. T. Powell on the R.o.H. but a J. Powell is listed. The article also states three brothers had enlisted, these are assumed to be Samuel E. and either James William or Albert Edward. Due to the W. Powell on the R.o.H. the question has to be asked was James William Powell known as William?

The J.W. Powell may not be included on the R.o.H. and appears to be from a different family, with that the J. W. Powell story is told separately.

Cheshirebmd records 28 Powell births in the Weaverham District in the years 1875/1900, 12 of which are girls.

Jn. A. (John Alick) Powell; (Cheshirebmd record the birth of a John Alick Powell in 1895, W/ham.)

S.E. (Samuel E.) Powell; (Cheshirebmd record the birth of a Samuel E. Powell in 1894, W/ham.)

W. William Powell; (Cheshirebmd does not record the birth of a William Powell in the years 1875/1900, W/ham but does record a second lad named James W. Powell in 1897 and is the brother of John Alick and Samuel E.. )

Guardian Article 4th May 1917, P5/C2; DIED OF WOUNDS , PRIVATE ALICK POWELL

Private Alick Powell of the Cheshire Regiment, whose home is at 3 Woodward Street, Weaverham, has died from wounds. He was one of three brothers serving in the Army whilst his father, Private J. T. Powell, has seen service at the front and is now at the depot at Chester. Private Powell, who was 21 years,was educated at Weaverham School and as a boy acted as drummer in the Church Lads Brigade. He was also a member of Weaverham Boy Scouts. He took a keen interest in sport and was a member of the Acton Bridge football team He joined the Army in September 1914 and twelve months later was engaging in the fighting in Gallipoli, from where he was transferred to Alexandria. In December, 1915, he was sent back to England suffering from Dysentery. At the time of his death he had been at the front about 14 months.

The first intimation of Private Powell’s death came in a letter from the sister-in-charge of a hospital, which read; “I am more than sorry to have to write you this sad news of your son. He came as a patient to us two days ago and died yesterday. He was very seriously wounded and we had little hopes for him. Every possible thing was done for him but all our care and attention could not save his life. He was unconscious all the time so was spared much suffering. With much sympathy for you in your great sadness.” An official communication from the Records Office at Shrewsbury says Private Powell died of wounds on April 14th

Guardian Article 1st June 1917, P5/C3; A WEAVERHAM HERO; SERGEANT MAJORS TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DRUMMER POWELL.

A few weeks ago we recorded how Drummer Powell of the Cheshire Regiment was mortally wounded when rendering aid to wounded comrades by acting as a stretcher bearer. His popularity in the Battalion is shown by the following letter sent by the Regimental Sergeant Major to the deceased’s brother Sergeant Powell; “In reply to your letter I regret to state that your brother Drummer Powell, who was seriously wounded on April 13th, died on the following day at the casualty clearing station. At the time he was wounded he was acting as a stretcher bearer. I am sorry to say that I cannot obtain his bugle as requested by his mother. From inquires made, it is believed that he left his bugle with the (blank) battalion prior to joining this battalion. “He is sadly missed by all and especially the drummers with which he had made himself very popular. They all desire to express their heartfelt sympathy with his sorrowing mother.”

Cheshirebmd record a John Alick Powell born in 1895, Weaverham, in his Service documents he uses the name Alick. (Alick’s father was also named John which may also have influenced the use of the second Christian name.)

Alick’s attestation and services documents recorded he is living in Weaverham, further into the service documents this appears to be at 4 Woodward St. which is off Church St. Alick was 19yrs 10m when he enlisted which was in Northwich on 1st Sept. 1914. That is the date his services “reckons” from. His medical sheet records Alick standing 5ft 5ins tall, weight 130lb with a girth of 38in, with a complexion as fair, blue eyes and light brown hair. His development was noted as Good. His “calling” is labourer and he was single.

Alick’s travel log; Year Days

Home 1/9/14 - 25/6/15, 298 days

Exp. Force (Medit.) 26/6/15 - 23/10/15, 121 days

Home 24/10/15 - 3/3/16, 132 days

Exp. Force (France) 4/3/16 - 14/4/17, 142 days

Moving back to his postings, Alick was posted with the Cheshire Reg’t. Service No 13145, Pte.

Posting 10th Bn. 5/11/14, Transferred from 10th Bn. to 8th Bn. 7/11/14, Appointed Drummer. 3/5/15, Exp, Force Medit. 26/6/15, Rejoined from Exp. Force 24/10/15, Posted Exp. Force 4/3/16.

Alick was one of the Anzac lads, suffered badly with Dysentery and was invalided back to England on the 12th Oct. 1915. This will tie in with the “Home” section in his travel log to recuperate. When Alick went back into service, it was with the Exp. Force in France and the service form still implies he was a Drummer as it states date of appointment to drummer was 3rd ?????? Alick was badly injured on the 13th and died on the 14th April 1917.

N.A.M.C. - have medal cards for 89 lads named Powell with the Cheshire Regiment including an Alick Powell, Cheshire Regiment, No 13145 with the Rank of Driver and Private, awarded the British, Victory and 15 Star medals. The card stated Theatre of War (2B) Balkans with the Date of Entry 26/6/15. The card also states D. of W. 14/4/17.

C.W.G.C. remember Alick at LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY, France, recording that Alick died on Saturday 14th April 1917, at that point Alick was with the 1st Bn. Cheshire Regiment, No 13145.

Research Bob Heaton