Add Information to Record of a Person who served during the Great War on The Wartime Memories Project Website

please scroll down to send a message

219853 Cpl. Michael Ansboro British Army 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers from:Wigan (d.26th Aug 1914) It is reported that a Robert Reid from Wigan was the first soldier of the town to be killed in the Great War but I can dispute this. Cpl Michael Ansboro though an Irish immigrant to the town was recalled to his regiment the Lancashire Fusiliers on the outbreak of hostilities. His service number was 791 and he fell on 26th August 1914 at the battle of Le Cateux and is interred at Esnes military cemetery. He married Mary Ann Gallagher originally from Kiltimagh in Ireland in 1913 in Wigan. Michael was employed by the Wigan Coal and Iron Company at their Kirkless site in the town. Although not originally from Wigan Cpl. Ansboro by virtue of having resided in Wigan and married there would seem to be the first Wigan soldier to be killed in action 1914. His name is on the Wigan town centre cenotaph and the Mayo peace memorial in Castlebar. His son who was born after Michael's death was born in Wigan however he and his mother returned to Kiltimagh at a later date. Please type your message:      We recommend you copy the text about this item and keep a copy on your own computer before pressing submit. Your Name:             Email Address:       @ **Please put first part of your email, (before the @ sign) in the first box, and the second part in the second box. Do not include @, it is automatic. Do not enter your full email in each box or add an @ sign or random spaces.**