Our People - Edward Ainsworth

8 March 1917
#11336 Private Edward Ainsworth
6th (Service) Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
​38th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division
Killed in action 8 March 1917, age 23  
Basra Memorial, Iraq. Ref: Panel 7  
Edward Ainsworth was born c. 1894 in Goosnargh to Mary-Ann Ainsworth and her late husband.  In 1911 he was living with his mother at 23 Chorley Road, Walton-le-Dale, and his three sisters and two brothers, Mary Alice (31) born Preston - who has no listed trade or occupation, but seems to have been helping her mother at home, Ann born Claughton (25) a weaver.  Christopher (20) born Goosnargh a labourer, Joseph (14) a worker born Goosnargh (who was also to die from the effects of the war) and Winnifred (10), born Walton-le-Dale.  Edward was employed as a weaver.

At the time of his death, the 6th Battalion K.O.R.L. was at the Diyala river advancing on Baghdad, so it is to be assumed that he met his death in this operation.

​The following is an extract from the official despatch of General Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, commander of the Tigris Corps from July 1916, concerning the crossing and passage of the Diyala River:
"On March 7th our advanced guard came in contact with the enemy on the line of the Diala River, which joins the Tigris on its left bank, about eight miles below Baghdad.  As the ground was absolutely flat and devoid of cover, it was decided to make no further advance till after sunset.  Our gunboats and artillery, however, came into action against the hostile guns. Measures for driving the enemy's infantry from the Diala were initiated on the night of March 7th-8th.  It appeared as though the enemy had retired, but when the first pontoon was launched it was riddled by rifle and machine gun fire.  A second attempt was made with artillery and machine-gun cooperation.

Five pontoons were launched, but they were all stopped by withering fire from concealed machine guns.  They floated down stream, and were afterward recovered in the Tigris River with a few wounded survivors on board, and further ferrying enterprises were for the time being deemed impracticable. It now became evident that, although the line of the Diala was not held strongly, it was well defended by numerous guns and machine guns skilfully sited, and the bright moonlight favoured the defence.

To assist in forcing the passage a small column from the force under Lieut.-Gen. Marshall was ferried across the Tigris in order to enfilade the enemy's position with its guns from the right bank of that river."
You can read more of Maude's despatch at firstworldwar.com.

Edward's  mother was paid a War Gratuity of £3. 0. 0. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Edward also appears on the Walton-le-Dale St.Leonard's C.E. WW1 Plaque and the Walton-le-Dale Our Lady and St.Patricks R.C. Crucifix
CWGC Certificate - Edward Ainsworth
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