Levi's Story.
The Weaverham St. Mary's “Roll of Honour” records two Vernon lads; (These two lads are father and son.)
L. (Levi) Vernon Pte., is listed on the Fallen Memorial;
H. (Herbert) Vernon; M.M.
C.W.G.C. - remember Levi at St. Mary’s Weaverham Churchyard, Levi died Wednesday 20th Oct. 1915 aged 45. He was with the 8th Bn. Cheshire Reg’t. No 17735. Son of Mrs Betsy Vernon; husband of Mary Elizabeth Vernon of 49 Wallerscote Rd. Owley Wood, Weaverham.
N.A.M.C. - record Levi with the Cheshire Reg’t. No 17735, Private, awarded British, Victory and 15 Star medals, Theatre of War, Balkans; Date of Entry 26/6/15. The card records that Levi “Died 20/10/15.”
Northwich Guardian 1915, 29th Oct. (P5/C4); VICTIM OF DYSENTERY. WEAVERHAM SOLDIERS’S DEATH AT NETLEY.
It was in a sprit of patriotism that Levi Vernon of Weaverham, volunteered to serve his King and Country soon after the out-break of war. Despite the fact that he was well over 40 and had family. This he felt was his duty to respond to the call and on November 2nd he joined the 8th Cheshire Regiment. He was already a member of the National Reserves having served for several years in the old Hartford detachment of the Cheshire Volunteers. It was possible for him to have offered himself for home defence purposes as a National Reserve but he considered that his place was in the regular Army and being of the physique he was promptly accepted.
After several months training the 8th Cheshires were ordered to the Dardanelles and proceeded there on June 26th. Soon after the arrival of the regiment they were engaged in the trenches and Private Vernon wrote to his wife telling her of his experiences in fighting the Turks. Early in September he was taken ill with dysentery and was moved to Malta where he remained for some days ?? afterwards brought to Netley Hospital. (Netley is near Southampton)
Owing to his condition his wife was communicated with and she at once proceeded to Netley accompanied by her son and daughter. She remained with her husband until he died at 2:30pm Wednesday afternoon the 26th Inst. Private Vernon was a member of the Weaverham Institute and took a particular interest in bowls. At one time he was a member of the Institute Committee. Before joining the Army he was in the employ of Messrs Brunner Mond and Company as a shift-man and had worked for the firm at Winnington for nearly 30 years. He belonged to the Ancient Order of Forresters and was member of the Court “Friendship” Weaverham.
MILITARY FUNERAL The funeral took place at the Parish Church yard on Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the effort of Mr. W. Bancroft, the County Council representative for the district, Private Vernon was accorded a military funeral. A firing party together with buglers were brought in motor cars from Chester. The procession left the deceased’s residence shortly before 3 o’clock headed by the Barton Brass Band. Immediately following it were the firing party, members of the Cheshire Regiment and also a number of Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Mr. J. Arthur Cowley represented the Northwich War Relief Committee and also the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association. Next came the coffin, covered with a Union Jack lent by Dr. Smith, carried by four of the deceased’s follow members of the Institute, Messrs T. Greatbanks, J. Roberts, I. Woodward, and A. Cross and four of his late fellow workmen, Messrs A. Lambert, R. Newton, J.T. Bell and E. Millington.
Following were the family mourners including Mrs Vernon (widow) Mr. Herbert Vernon (son) Miss Minnie Vernon (daughter)…………….
The Brunner Mond “Roll of Honour” records Vernon Levi Pte. 8th Cheshires, Died. Levi is named on the B. M. & Co. Memorial at their Winnington Works with the Cheshire Regiment listings.
Researched Bob Heaton