Other Information:Patrick was born at 5 Hutchinson Court, Duckworth Street, Darwen. In 1901 his trade was a colliery worker, then in 1911 he worked at a coal miner. He entered the war in France on 25th July 1915. He was the son of Roger & Catherine (Nee Regan) Cunliffe; and the husband of Jane O’Niell - married in Wigan in 1912. Jane received two letters after his death: “The non-commissioned officers and men of the 46th Field Ambulance have requested me to convey to you their deepest sympathy in the sad loss you have sustained through the loss of your beloved husband, Private Patrick Cunliffe. I assure you our loss is great, but yours must be still greater. But the Lord grant you and your children strength to bear this heavy cross.” and
“It is impossible for me to eulogise his qualities too greatly. He was a splendid fellow, a rare worker, and always ready and willing to do anything for a comrade. Needless to say, he was very popular with us all, and we shall miss him greatly. As a native of the same town, he and I were naturally great friends, and it is on account of this that I have been given the sad task of writing this letter of condolence to you. Would that they had put it in more capable hand. Too feeble is my hand to describe how sorry we are for you. However, I trust that you will find consolation in the fact that he met his death in a glorious manner, nobly doing his duty. He and a comrade were carrying a wounded man on a stretcher to the dressing station when your husband was shot through the heart by a German sniper, his death being almost instantaneous. Our Commanding Officer, Major Wood, did everything possible, and he immediately communicated with the Rev Father Wilson (Catholic chaplain), who buried your husband on Monday in a small cemetery close to the trenches. A wooden cross marks his grave, his regimental cap hanging on the top. Some of the boys are going to place some white stones round it tomorrow.” [Information and portrait photograph courtesy of Tony Foster]
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