Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown War Memorial

In Memory of

Gunner Edgar Ouldcott

5108
D Battery 160th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
Killed In Action 11th July 1917 Age 21

Edgar was the son of John and Annie Ouldcott of Earlestown. SDGW gives his place of birth as Harwich, Essex. However, family members have stated that this should be Horwich, near Bolton, which makes more sense. Before joining the Colours in August 1914, he worked as an apprentice at the Bottle Works. His name is on the NEG list of recruits from the Earlestown office published on October 23rd 1914. He went to France in February 1916.

The obituary published in the Newton and Earlestown Guardian on 20th July 1917 gives his Brigade as 180th and his age as 22. The details above are from CWGC. The obituary included a letter to Edgar’s sister Mrs. Cooper of 50, Houghton Street, Earlestown from Bombardier C. McGregor.

“Just a word or two with sorrowful news of the death of your poor brother and of my bosom pal. We have been great pals since e came off officer’s servant … He did not suffer any pain after being hit with the piece of shell.”

Edgar was killed during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, usually known as Passchendaele. He is buried in Brandhoek Military Cemetery in Plot I Row N Grave 1. Since the cemetery, which contains 669 burials, is 6.5 kilometres west of Ieper near the hamlet of Brandhoek in an area used by Field Ambulances and Dressing Stations, Edgar may have died of wounds rather than being killed instantly.