Norman Leslie's Story.
Birkenhead News 14 April 1915
YOUNG TRANMERE HERO’S DEATH
News Conveyed by Ex-German Consul
Mr. and Mrs. Wainwright of 26, Fountain Street, Tranmere, have received the sad news of the death of their son, Pte. Norman Leslie Wainwright, of the 1st Company, 2nd Batt., Cheshire Regt. Not having heard from him for some time they became greatly alarmed, but hoped against hope that, as he was reported missing, he would prove to be a prisoner in Germany. Unhappily there can be no longer any doubt that he is numbered amongst the gallant dead. Pte Wainwright when at home took a great interest in Charles Thompson’s Poor Children’s Mission, and Miss Annie Thompson (the Supt.) had written him several letters from the front. On Saturday last Miss Thompson received a letter of which the following is a translation.
Munich, 7th April, 1915
I am sorry to inform you that all my inquiries concerning Capt. Hutchinson in Berlin, as well as at Grafin Blucher have been without success. You can inform the wife of Capt. Hutchinson about this, and tell her that I shall make inquiries at a friend of Capt. Hutchinson who is a prisoner at Osnabruck and probably I might hear more from that source.
My brother, who is at the front has given orders to several of his battalions to try and get news about the officers.
My brother writes :- On the 3-3-15, at 10.30 p.m., Capt. Turner, 2nd Cheshire Regt., who was reconnoitring was killed. We have buried him with all military honours. He was a very fine man. Please inform his regiment. One of his men was killed, Pte. Norman Wainwright, 1-2nd, 2nd Cheshire Regt. His father will be heartbroken. He lives at 26, Fountain Street, Borough Road, Birkenhead, Cheshire. Please inform his family, probably through Miss Annie Thompson, Hemingford Street, Birkenhead, (and acquaintance of the family). Probably you will be kind enough to pass this information on, etc.
(s.d) T Schlagintweit Late German Consul, Manchester
It seems clear that the letters found on poor Wainwright body included those from home and Miss Thompson. The latter broke the news as gently as possible to the lad’s mother, who is in a feeble state of health, and has another son who has been a prisoner in Germany almost from the beginning of the war.
Private Wainwright was esteemed by all who knew him as a loving son, an affectionate brother, and a true friend. To Capt. Turner, with whom he returned from India, he was most devoted, the affection being reciprocated. Having several times being of slight service to him the captain had expressed a wish that he should accept a position at his home when the war is over. On March 3rd, the captain, who feared from certain sounds they had heard that the Germans were mining their trenches, and asked for two volunteers to go with him to try and ascertain if it were true. His faithful young follower was the first to volunteer to set forth on the perilous expedition, and expedition which resulted in the death of Capt. Turner and Pte. Wainwright.
In the course of a letter to Mr Wainwright, Pte. Wainwright’s officer wrote after the young soldier had been posted as missing :- I most sincerely trust that he is quite safe and that you will hear from him before long. It must be some satisfaction in the meantime to realise he is a son you have every reason to be proud of. If by any chance I get any news of him I will not fail to let you know at once, and have every hope the three will turn up eventually.