Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Puchevillers British Cemetery | III. C. 4. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.115 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 6C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Early Life :
Eldest son of John Shaw Ailney, a woollen manufacturer. He was born in Kirkheaton, Huddersfield on 26th June 1883 and was educated at Giggleswick.Married Constance Haigh Ainley.
Family :
Constance Haigh Ainley, of Coverstrand, Edgerton, Huddersfield, Yorks.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 168th Brigade Royal Field Artillery D Bty |
| Action : Operations on the Ancre |
11 January - 13 March 1917. Operations on the Ancre concerned the gradual advance in the area around Miramont during which the Germans retired towards the Hindenburg Line defences.
Detail :
He obtained a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery in July 1915, and was promoted to Lieutenant on 4th October 1916. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the following December, and died at Puchvillers on the 4th February 1917 from shock and pneumonia, caused through burns received two days previously while on active service near Beaumont Hamel during the actions on the Ancre that predicated the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line defences. His Colonel wrote: ‘It is a loss that we all regret. I feel that we have lost a most valuable officer and friend. He was loved by all and as an able gunner and I cannot say too much for him. I had absolute confidence in him at all times and indeed, he was the right-hand man of his present and late Major. His death is a great blow to us all, and we shall find it hard to fill his place. His work was always well done. The cause of his death was, we believe, his anxiety to save a brother officer, which he did successfully; all his comrades deeply deplore their loss’. He was married with a daughter. Sources Ruvigny Vol III
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Lodge of Harmony No. 275 E.C. | Yorkshire (West Riding) |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
27th September 1906 | 1st November 1906 | 29th November 1906 |
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley