John's Story.
EARLY LIFE
John Worsley was born in Macclesfield in late 1895, the son of Minnie Elizabeth (née Tomkinson) and William Worsley, a Fustian Cutter in the Velvet Trade, of 22 Newgate. In 1901, John and his mother were living together at the same address, while John's father was absent from home, possibly serving with the Army in Africa.
John was educated at Duke Street Day School.
John was educated at Duke Street Day School.
By 1911, the family had moved to 40 Nixons Yard, Macclesfield, and John had two younger siblings, Minnie and Frederick. Aged 15, John was then employed as an apprentice in the silk industry. John was later employed as an embroiderer at A. W. Hewetson’s Mill of St George’s Street, Macclesfield.
WW1 SERVICE
John attested in Macclesfield on 8th January 1915, joining the local 7th Battalion Cheshire Regiment with service number 3228. He stated that he lived at 22 Newgate, Macclesfield and was employed as an embroiderer. His army medical record describes him as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 140 pounds, with a 33 inch chest. His first posting was to Bedford on 30th January 1915, for training.
The following year, on 30th August 1916, John embarked from Southampton to Rouen to join the Base Depot, and on 12th September 1916 he was transferred to the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment and given a new service number, 49365. At the build-up to the Second Scarpe battle the 1st Battalion had been working hard preparing for the attack, carrying supplies and building tracks, and during the period between the 9th and 24th April their casualties totalled over 100 officers and men. John was one of these casualties, killed in action on 20th April 1917.
The death of John Worsley was announced in the Macclesfield Times on 4th May 1917:
YOUNG SIGNALLER'S DEATH IN FRANCE
Mr and Mrs William Worsley, 42 Thomas Street, Macclesfield, have received news of the death in action in France of their son, Signaller John Worsley, Cheshire Regt.... Signaller Worsley was 21 years of age and a native of Macclesfield. He was educated at Duke Street Day School and was connected with the Parish Church and the Large Sunday School. He was formerly employed as an embroiderer at Councillor A W Hewetson's Mill, St George's Street. The Signaller enlisted just over two years ago, and after training at Bedford and other places, was drafted out to France last September. He participated in the Somme fighting and had previously come through unscathed.
His father is in the Royal Defence Corps and at present is engaged on guard duty at Banbury. He is an old soldier and went through the South African campaign, for which he holds the King's and Queen's medals. He had served seven years prior to the outbreak of the present struggle, when he was called up as a reservist. He is 46 years of age and formerly was employed at Messrs. Armstrong & Whitworth's, Manchester.
An "In Memoriam" notice remembering John's death was published in the Macclesfield Times on 23rd April 1920, placed by his grandmother:
WORSLEY - In loving memory of my dear grandson, Private John Worsley, killed in action April 20th 1917....
From his loving Gran., Harriet E Booth, 22 Newgate, Macclesfield.
COMMEMORATION
Private John Worsley has no known grave and he is commemorated on Panel Ref. Bay 5 and 6 of the Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
In Macclesfield, Private John Worsley is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church, St Peter’s Church and Macclesfield Sunday School war memorials.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.