Humfrey's Story.
Humfrey Fairclough was born 31 October 1915 to Lionel and Ruth (nee Owen) Fairclough. Lionel died 18.11.1918 of Spanish Flu. He had been exempted from military service to assist in keeping the family flour mill running.
Through generosity of a childless aunt and uncle in paying the school fees Humfrey and his siblings (a brother and 2 sisters) received good educations. Humfrey won a scholarship to St Edward’s School Oxford where his name is recorded on the War Memorial. An extract from the obituary in the school magazine is below.
Extract from the obituary in St Edward’s School magazine Dec 1943.
“Humfrey Fairclough like his elder brother Peter came from the Leas School Hoylake with a scholarship. He possessed rare intellectual gifts and before he was 16 had reached the Classical VIth. The Rev A.D. James, then his form master regarded him as one of the most brilliant boys he had ever taught. Humfrey’s contemporaries, however, will probably remember him for his invariable modesty and invincible cheerfulness as well as for his glorious sense of humour. Destined for a business career, he left school rather earlier than most and entered his uncle’s firm. Later he took a Territorial Commission in his county regiment, in which his brother and school friend Bill Barnish were already serving.” It concluded describing the retreat in which he was fatally injured.
Extract from the obituary in St Edward’s School magazine Dec 1943.
“Humfrey Fairclough like his elder brother Peter came from the Leas School Hoylake with a scholarship. He possessed rare intellectual gifts and before he was 16 had reached the Classical VIth. The Rev A.D. James, then his form master regarded him as one of the most brilliant boys he had ever taught. Humfrey’s contemporaries, however, will probably remember him for his invariable modesty and invincible cheerfulness as well as for his glorious sense of humour. Destined for a business career, he left school rather earlier than most and entered his uncle’s firm. Later he took a Territorial Commission in his county regiment, in which his brother and school friend Bill Barnish were already serving.” It concluded describing the retreat in which he was fatally injured.
He left school young as he needed to provide additional income for the family. He worked initially as a junior clerk at Martins Bank until there was a vacancy for him in the family flour milling business.
He married Ruth Manson on 2 April 1938 at St Matthew’s Church Stretton which he had attended since childhood. He followed his brother in joining the TA in line with family tradition and responded to call up as soon as war was declared. The Managing Director of the Mill offered him one of the ‘reserved occupation’ post at the mill, but he declined, even though I was born on 21 September 1939, because of his strong sense of duty.
He was home on leave sometime in May 1940 and soon after that the telegram arrived announcing that he was missing in action.
Liverpool Evening Express, 13 June, 1940.
The Cheshire Roll of Honour would like to thank Humfrey's daughter, Gillian for the information and picture of her father.
Liverpool Evening Express, 13 June, 1940.
The Cheshire Roll of Honour would like to thank Humfrey's daughter, Gillian for the information and picture of her father.