Eric tells us:
“My first book that I published in 2011 was a success. It was entitled “Poulton-le-Fylde War Memorial and The Men Behind The Names“. It covers both World Wars, so I decided to take on a much larger project and research Thornton Cleveleys War Memorial.
In the autumn of 2014 I published a further book entitled “Thornton Cleveleys War Memorial and The Men Behind The Names” First World War. There are too many names on this memorial to put all the information in one volume. That’s why I’ve split it into two books.
The second book is entitled “Thornton Cleveleys War Memorial and The Men and Women Behind The Names” Second World War (yes, there are three women on this memorial).
Harry Curbishley – My Uncle
Eric goes on to explain more.
I have a personal interest in Thornton Cleveleys War Memorial. My uncle’s name, Harry Curbishley, is commemorated on it for the First World War.
Harry Curbishley was born in 1896, the second son of Thomas and Harriet Curbishley of “East View” Marsh Lane (now Marsh Road), Thornton. His twin brother, William, died in infancy. He also had two other brothers and two sisters. He was a former pupil of Church Road Council School, Thornton and before the war worked at College Farm, Rossall, Fleetwood.
On 9th September 1914, in Fleetwood, he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards on a Short Service Engagement of three years and was issued with the Service Number 18625.
After training in the UK he disembarked in France on 16th March 1915. Sadly, he was killed in action at the Battle of Loos, France, on 17th October 1915. He was just 19 years of age.
My grandparents were initially informed on 9th November 1915 that he was missing in action. It took what must have been an agonising 11 months of waiting before the authorities finally contacted them again on 13th October 1916. Authorities informed them that he was now officially recorded as having been killed in action.
His body was never found and so he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial in France.
I have this photograph of him in uniform which my father (Harry’s youngest brother) carried in his wallet until the day he died in 1988.
Contact Eric Curbishley on 01253 882474 or by email eric.curbishley@gmail.com
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