Killed in action 16 November 1918;- "We will remember t

[MaryA]

Good luck with the search.

[TIM CALVERT]

Hi Mark,

I found, by accident, that you were researching into Christopher Hurst and the lack of memorial. My interest lies in the fact that he was my great uncle. My grandfather was one of his elder brothers. On one of the threads I see the name Henry Hurst aged 28 years. This should be "Percy" who was in fact my grandfather. There is a family photo of my grandfather stood by Christopher's grave in Belgium sometime in the 1920's. As to any memorials I believe that Christopher's life was commemorated at the Hurst family plot at a small church in Downall Green.

I hope that this is of some help and I would be interested in any info which you may have found out. I do remember a couple of photos in a family album of Christopher in uniform. I do believe that he came home around the time of the Armistice and went back Belgium when he was fatally injured.

Am I correct that you are in possession of his Military Medal?? You have got me wondering whether his British War Medal and Victory Medal are still in the famliy.

Cheers, Tim

[Mark Abbott]

Hello Tim,

Many, many thanks for contacting me! I have had Christopher's MM in my collection for many years and as you will have read from my postings, I have only just managed to solve the riddle of his death on 16.11.1918.

I have visited the grave in Ath twice and can report that the cemetery has been tidied up considerably since my first visit. I would welcome sight of any photos you may have and will send you a pm.

Do you know what details your family were given concerning Christopher's tragic death so soon after the end of the war?

Again, thank you for contacting me.

Mark

[MaryA]

Hi Tim and welcome to the forum.

Oh I love a good ending, I'm so pleased you have contacted Mark and hope you can both help each other with your researches.

[Mark Abbott]

Tim,

I have been looking at Christopher's papers again. His medals were originally sent to his brother, John Hurst who at the time lived at 37, Garden Village, Spring Vale, Darwen, Lancashire whilst the plaque and scroll were sent to Miss Mary Hurst who still lived in the family home, 60 Brockstead's Road, North Ashton, Wigan.

Christopher's papers also record that he was gassed on the 16 July 1917 and 4th August 1917, resulting in him being treated by 2/1st Wessex Field Ambulance.

Mark

[TIM CALVERT]

Hi Mark

As soon as I'm able I will speak to my aunt, who may have recollections of my grandfather's memories of Christopher. Hopefully this may fill in some of the gaps in what you know.

She also has the family albums which I will now have a look through when I next visit her.

On a purely personal note I am relieved that his Miltary Medal, which I did not know existed until a couple of days ago, is in safe hands.

I look forward to exchanging information soon.

Many Thanks

Tim

[Mark Abbott]

Hello Tim

I am most grateful to you for the help you are giving me. I would be delighted to see a photo of him and to see any information about him.

Do you know if the family home still exists? I will be going to visit the church to locat the "Hurst" plot and will post photos; if the house is still there I will photograph that as well.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

Thanks to Tim's post, I have at last found where Christopher is commemorated here in the UK. I visited the cemetery today:



I will visit again in the spring and try to obtain a better photo

[daggers]

Excellent result - a great MI with so much family and other detail, even down to army number!
D

[MaryA]

A very good find Mark, I feel happier knowing that his parents weren't aware of what a short life he had.

At their ages I suspect there must have been quite a few older children.

[TIM CALVERT]

Mark,

Thank you so much for posting the photo of gravestone. I am so relieved that it is in such good condition. I do believe that on the other side of the stone are other members of the family including my grandfather, Percy.

In response to you question about the home address; I do not believe that the house still exists nor can I find any trace of the Darwen address, ie that of his eldest brother.

I think that a good number of the family birth certificates were collected by my mother and it is possible that of these Christopher's is one.

Take Care

Tim

[Mark Abbott]

Hello Tim,

I can confirm that there are other names on the reverse side of the gravestone. Unfortunately my camera battery ran out! I will return and take some more photos ASAP.

Have you managed to find any photos of Christopher.

Best wishes

Mark

[TIM CALVERT]

Hi Mark,

So far I've not been able to contact my aunt who is the "custodian" of all the family photos, due to the fact that she's abroad on holiday. As soon as she returns and I can get to visit her I'll see what photos and other information she has.

Take Care

Tim

[Mark Abbott]

A general view of ATH COMMUNAL CEMETERY. Christopher's grave is in the front row, nearest to the camera.



Mark

[MaryA]

A good time of year to have a picture like that Mark, we will be remembering all our soldiers.

Lest we forget

[Mark Abbott]

This is one of my favourite photos. It was taken in the Autumn of 2007 and shows GUILLEMONT ROAD CEMETERY with Trones Wood in the background.

http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_det ... 600&mode=1

A great many Liverpool and Lancashire men lie in this cemetery which is at the heart of the 1916 battlefields

[Mark Abbott]

The 16th November is the 91st anniversary of the death of Christopher Hurst. I visited the family grave today and placed a memorial cross in his memory.



Please remember him.

Mark

[MaryA]

In our prayers Mark

[Mark Abbott]

Tim

The "reverse" of the family grave taken 15.11.09



The church pcc have left a note by the grave indicating that it requires work; it is sinking on one side as can be seen from the photos.

Mark

[Mark Abbott]

This is the Military Medal awarded to Chritopher Hurst: