James Kenneth's Story.
Lieutenant Kenneth J. K. Gaukroger, Royal Air Force, was reported missing on 8 August 1918 and was subsequently presumed killed. The son of Councillor and Mrs Gaukroger of Lyndholme, Hartford, he was regarded as one of Northwich's most promising young men and was held in high esteem for his character and abilities. After more than three months of uncertainty and extensive enquiries through official and unofficial channels, his parents received notification from the Air Ministry that no further information regarding his fate had been obtained and that he was presumed to have died.
Lieutenant Gaukroger had attained his majority only a few days before being reported missing. He gained his pilot's certificate in the Royal Air Force after initially joining the Manchester University O.T.C. in 1916. Although medically rejected after ten months' training, he later recovered, enlisted as a private in May 1917, obtained a commission in the Royal Air Force, and underwent further flying instruction before joining his squadron in France in June 1918. The last news received from him was a letter dated 1 August 1918, in which he described flying operations. Four days later his squadron flew over enemy lines and nothing further was heard of him, nor was any trace found of his aircraft.
Outside his military service, Lieutenant Gaukroger was actively involved with the United Methodist Church in Northwich and held an official position in connection with Timberlane Sunday School. His father, Councillor Gaukroger, played a prominent role in the civic life of Northwich, serving as vice-chairman of the Urban Council and as a member of several public bodies.