Rowland's Story.
There are two people named Fairclough listed on St. Mary’s Weaverham “Roll of Honour” and they are Florence and Rowland Broadhurst Fairclough, brother and sister. Florence is listed in her own right on Cheshireroll.
The 1901 census has a Fairclough family living at Mere House, Weaverham. James, father and head of the family was aged 34 and a gentleman farmer and was born Burtonwood, his wife Mary, aged 32, born Liverpool. Children; Kathleen Mary age 4, Rowland Broadhurst age 3 and Maxfield Hayes aged 1. Florence Broadhurst was missing from the home census as she was at St. Cubert's School Lytham as a boarder, she was aged 8.
FreeBMD has Rowland born in the March quarter of 1898, therefore Rowland would be 19 in the March Q. of 1917.
N.A.M.C. - Whilst searching for information on Florence Fairclough, information on Rowland B. Fairclough came up, this was due to inputting Broadhurst Fairclough into the medal search engine, Rowland Broadhurst Fairclough. He was with the South Lancashire Regiment with the Rank of Captain. He received the Victory and British Medals with the entry date of 16/2/1917. The medal roll information records that it wasn't until 1923 that the medals where applied for. The address is recorded as; 1) C/O The Angle Siam, Corporation Ltd. (Ewart Latham Branch) Bombay, and 2) Ewart House P.O. Box 70, Bombay India.
On the Census there was also a link to data recording that Rowland had landed in the UK on the “City of York”, on the 25th Jan. 1934. (Ellerman's City Line Ltd. Master Jas. McArthur.) having come from Bombay India. His home address is given as 5-7 St. Helens B/Shop Gate, London, it is recorded Rowland is a Merchant aged 35.Other links suggest that Rowland died 11th Dec. 1987 whilst living at Christchurch Bournemouth. Probate was completed at Winchester on the 10th Feb. 1988.
Further checks find Rowland came into the country on the 13th May 1929 from Bombay. It appears Rowland was married as he has a wife Kathleen aged 33 and son, Master Mark, aged 3, coming into the country at Liverpool. There address is recorded as 5/7 St. Helens Place, Bishopgate, London. They had been on the Britannia, Anchor Line, Official No 148894. There were two other dates of Rowland returning to England, one earlier, 25th Aug. 1925, Karachi to Liverpool on the City of Simia, Hall Line Ltd. Official No 146273. Also in 1938 on the 25th Aug. on the Cilicia, Anchor Line Official, No 165934.
Other information shows Rowland marrying in 1922, not in England, in India, to a Kathleen Barry. Records show they divorced in 1934.
The following information has been supplied by the Lancashire Regimental Museum which is based at the Fulwood Barracks, Preston , C/O Jane Davies, Curator. The obituary was in the “Lancashire Lad (The Queen's Lancashire Regimental Magazine.)
Colonel Rowland Broadhurst Fairclough MC ED:- “Appointed to a commission as 2nd Lieut. in 2/4th Bn. S. Lancs Regt. (P.W.V. [Prince of Wales Volunteers]) Territorial Force on 9th Nov. 1914. The Battalion was disembodied and he was transferred to the Territorial Reserve in the rank of Captain 3rd Jan. 1921, he relinquished his commission and retained the rank of Captain on the 12th Jan. 1922. He joined the Karachi Corps Auxiliary Force on the 7th July 1921 and on the 10th Feb. 1932 was appointed Captain in No2 (Karachi) Company M.G. Corps. Promoted Major 1st Feb. 1935 and Lt. Col. on the 19th Feb. 1942. Appointed Officer Commanding KCAF on the 19th Jan 1942 then appointed Hon. A.D.C. to H.E. The Viceroy of India and appointed to the Honorary rank of Colonel on 1st Nov. 1944. He was transferred to the General list on 8th Dec. 1945.
Colonel Fairclough was born in Warrington on 4th Dec. 1897 and lived in Weaverham, Cheshire. He attended “Seafield” Lytham, Liverpool College. His legal qualifications were in Company & Mercantile Law.
He was awarded the M.C. 2nd Dec. 1918. H.M. The King Emperor’s Silver Jubilee Medal 6th May 1935, H.M. King's Coronation Medal 17th May 1937, Efficiency Decoration, Gazette of India 6th June 1940.
He was acting Honorary Vice Consul for Spain at Karachi 1943 and during this period was involved in highly sensitive intelligence work.
AWARDED THE MILITARY CROSS.
Page 14238 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 2 DECEMBER, 1918.
Capt. Roland Broadbent (Rowland Broadhurst) Fairclough, 2/4th Bn., S. Lanc. R. (T.F.). For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership. With a party of ten men he became detached during an attack and en-countered a strong force of the enemy. He drove them back, and, following them up captured 150 prisoners. He also silenced a machine gun which was seriously hampering the advance. His example of determination was of the greatest value.
Colonel Fairclough died December 1987 aged 90 years.”
Research Bob H.