John, Frederick, James (Harry) and Ernest Hackett The Hacketts were a large family living in Chapeltown. The four sons who fought in WW1 are as follows their individual records are attached. JOHN HACKETT 1890 1959 FREDERICK HACKETT 1891 1951 JAMES HACKETT 1895 - ERNEST HACKETT 1900 1979 In 1901 the Hackett family were living at 71 High Street, Chapeltown. By 1911 they had moved to 3 Tower Street in Turton (1), however John has already moved out to 15 Mount Pleasant. 1911 Census The Hackett family living at 3 Tower Street, Turton (1) Father: James Henry Hackett 1860 - aged 51 Mother: Ann Elizabeth Hackett 1861 - aged 50 They were married in Ashton-under-Lyne July-Sept. 1885 (6) Children: Agnes b. 1887 Stalybridge Elizabeth b. 1888 Edgworth Frederick b. 1891 Edgworth Jane Elizabeth b. 1892 Edgworth James Henry b. 1895 Edgworth Clara b. 1897 Littleborough William b. 1899 Littleborough Ada b. 1899 Littleborough Ernest b. 1900 Hr.Bradshaw, Turton Edith Lillian b. 1903 Mary Alice b. 1906
Johnnie Hackett (1890 1959) (30) Johnnie joined the 2nd Battalion of The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire) in 1914. At the time he was living at 15 Mount Pleasant, Edgworth. He lists his occupation as Labourer and confirms that he was married. His Regimental Number was 15988. (2) It is stated on army records that a wedding took place at St. Anne s Church, Turton, between John Hackett and Ellen Rothwell (spinster) on 10 th April, 1909. (2)
War Record Johnnie s service record states that he was of good character (although there was the odd misdemeanour of drunkenness and failing to obey an officer!) He suffered several bouts of impetigo, and finally trench foot which caused him to be discharged. He fought in several battles throughout the war. He was awarded the Victory medal, the British War Medal and the 1914-15 Star Medal. In addition to this he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. The following is taken from an extract from the London Gazette, 19 th February1917. (2) A summary was found on p.6 of the Bolton Journal & Guardian, 12 th June 1917 a copy of which is below. After the lapse of 12 months the heroic conduct of Pte. J. Hackett, stretcher bearer, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, has been recognised by the Military Authorities. Mrs. Hackett who lives at 15 Mount Pleasant, Edgworth, having received an official communication to the effect that an enquiry has been made relative to her husband s deed of gallantry on January 5 th, 1916, and that the Commander-in-Chief has bestowed the Military Medal on him. In a letter to the Journal & Guardian in February last year, Sgt. R. S. Eckersley, a member of the literary staff up to enlisting, states that Hackett, with the assistance of Pte. Hill of Manchester rescued two men who had been wounded by a German machine gunner. Hackett in a letter home states that Hill and himself went right through the open for about 80 yards to two comrades who were wounded in the head. One of them died an hour and a half afterwards. They had just got to them and were in the act of opening the stretcher when his companion, Hill, was wounded. Hackett was employed by the Know Mill Printing Company before enlisting. (16) 1911 Census living at 15 Mount Pleasant, Edgworth. (1) Johnnie is employed as a labourer at the Calico Print Works. Head: Johnnie Hackett b. Rhodes Middleton, 1890, d. June 1959, Bury Spouse: Ellen Hackett b. 1887, Dunscar, d. 16.5.1961 Whilst no marriage record has been found, a ceremony between John Hackett and Ellen Rothwell took place on 10 th April 1909 at St. Anne s, Turton according to the Wallace family tree on Ancestry (1)
Frederick Hackett (1891-1951) Frederick Hackett was a farm labourer employed at Chetham Farm, Edgworth when he enlisted and was living at 3 Tower Street with parents and siblings. He enlisted with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 12 th battalion as a Private (2) on 19 th April, 1916. His attestation form states he was 5 3 tall weighing 10 stone 1lb. No medal record has been found which suggests he was not posted overseas, although I have found a casualty list showing the Devonshire Regiment and his Reg. No. 48608 which states the following 21 st April, 1916 Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 12 th battalion. 29 th July, 1916 Cheshire Regiment (Labour) attached 29 th July, 1916 The Welsh Regiment 18 th Battalion 16 th December, 1916 Devonshire Regiment, 29 th Battalion 15 th February, 1917 Processed for employment with S. Scowcroft, Bradshaw, Bolton 15 th February, 1917 Transferred to Army Reserve Class 17 22 nd February, 1917 IRSC, 149159/18 (the handwriting was not very clear. This may have been transcribed incorrectly). He was demobilised on 10 th February, 1919 as he had become deaf in his left ear and blind in his right eye. (2)
James Henry (Harry) Hackett b. 1895 (30) No record has been found of a Harry Hackett on 1901 or 1911 Census Records of Edgworth and Turton, or in Military Records. It is possible, though not proven, that he is James Henry Hackett, born 1895 the 3 rd son of James Henry and Ann Elizabeth Hackett, and brother of Johnnie, Frederick, William and Ernest Hackett. They also had 7 sisters. It is possible he was known as Harry to distinguish him from his father who had the same name.
Family History James Henry Hackett married Florence Howarth on 11.11.1922 at Edgworth Congregational Church (3) (33)
Ernest Hackett (1900-1979) Ernest Hackett was following in the footsteps of his older brothers when he applied to join the army in 1916 when he was only 16 years old. He requested to be assigned to the Royal Engineers, but was finally appointed to Territorial Regimental Brigade (Machine Gun Corps.) on 3 rd May, 1918. War Record (2) Ernest was called to duty on 2 nd May, 1918. He enlisted with the 116 th regiment of the Territorial Regimental Brigade (Machine Gun Corps.) He was described s being 5 8 tall with brown eyes and was unmarried. His rank was that of Private and his regimental number was 187333. A second Regimental number appears in his Military Records - 186712. On the 19 th February, 1919 he was transferred to Army Reserve on Demobilization. Territorial Regimental Brigade (Machine Gun Corps) The Machine Gun Corps was created by Royal Warrant on 14 October 1915 followed by an (17) Army Order on 22 October 1915. Research: Standard references: Irene Spencer 1, 2, 3, 6, 30, 33, plus: 16. Bolton Journal and Guardian January 12 th 1917 (p.6) 17. Ref: www.1914-1918.net Insights