St Matthew’s was approached by a volunteer from the Imperial War Museum asking whether our Ballam church had a War Memorial.
Word went out via our parish magazine and no sooner had the issues landed on local doormats than the first positive response (from long-standing Ballam local Joyce Whittle) came in.
Joyce’s clear recollection of a ‘Roll of Honour’ hanging in St Matthew’s was then followed up by a couple of similar messages from other parishioners.
The volunteer in question, Mike Coyle, who assists the War Memorials Register and the War Memorials Trust, was duly contacted.
“It was great to hear the news and also to see the Roll of Honour so prominently displayed and in such good order,” said Mike, who lives on the Fylde Coast but scours far and wide for War Memorials to upload onto the ‘warmemorialsonline’ website.
“I knew there had been a school at Ballam, but only recently did I realise it was now a church after passing by on my bike. And what a gem it is too – a lovely church with an atmosphere you sense from the moment you walk in through the door.”
Mike (pictured with the Ballam Roll of Honour) added: “St Matthew’s will now feature forever on our website, ensuring that these important community and historical sources can be safely kept for future generations.”
And, by way of a ‘thank-you’, Mike has promised to spend time researching the brave men of Ballam – eight who died in active service – listed below:
Beesley John, Beesley Joseph, Benson James, Braithwaite William, Carr George, Carr Hugh R, Charnley James, Clark Simon B (RIP), Cross William, Cross Arthur, Dickinson Harry (RIP), Fair James Gerald (RIP), Fisher James, Gardner Henry, Gregson Edwin, Gregson Harry. Gregson John, Gregson Richard, Gregson Thomas, Harrison Arthur, Harrison Thomas, Hothersall Edward, Hothersall Harry, Hothersall William, Hutchinson Cecil (RIP), Isles John, Kirkham Harry, Kirkham William, Lucas William G (RIP), Manning William E, Moor Robert, Moor Roger, Rossall Richard (RIP), Salisbury Thomas, Sharples James, Shorrock James, Shorrock Thomas (RIP), Shorrock William (RIP), Simpson John, Simpson Robert, Wareing Benjamin, Wareing Joseph, Wareing Richard, Wilkin John.