First World War Records

These are images of original army records for three of the sons of Mary Jane Shaw who fought in France in the first world war. All three were injured, one fatally.

George Milward Herling (1899-1918). George was GS/69904 in the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment).

James Leslie Herling (1897-1985) was Gunner 1537, later Acting Bombardier 797282 in the Royal Artillery (Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery). He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. James Leslie died on 8th April 1985. Letters of Administration were issued on 4th December 1985 with assets of £55,299. His last address was given as 155 Lytham Road, Ashton, Preston which was quite close to the site of the Butchers and Commercial Inn which would have been his home for some years.

William Herlingshaw (1884-1956) was a regular soldier in the Yorkshire Regiment for 7 years from February 1906, then automatically became a reserve and was brought back into the army full-time at the start of WW1. Towards the end of his 524 day period as a reserve he married Sarah Ann Wilkinson. William is believed to have served in the second Boer War also.

This picture shows William Herlingshaw at a military hospital in 1916 with nursing staff and wounded colleagues. He is seated, third from the left. By then he was 30 years old.

William Herlingshaw was in the 2nd Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment, perhaps also the 3rd.