Trafford

Born on the 16th November 1895, his birth being registered during the March
quarter 1896 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/720, the son of
William & Sarah Ann Heald (nee Yates).

1901 Census - 39 Stretford Road, Urmston.   Son - aged: 5 - born: Urmston. 
 Head of household - William Heald - Married - aged: 45 - occ: Bankers
Clerk - born: Berkshire.    Also - Sarah Heald - Wife - aged: 41 - born:
Lancashire.   Plus 3 elder siblings and 1 domestic servant.

1911 Census - Orford House, Barnfield, Flixton.   Son - aged: 15 - Scholar
- born: Urmston.   Head of household - William Heald - Married - aged: 55 -
occ: Bankers Cashier - born: Hurst, Berkshire.    Also - Sarah Heald - Wife
- aged: 50 - born: Orford, Warrington, Lancashire.   Plus 1 elder sister.

WO 339/21905 - He was 5 feet 8 inches in height and employed as an
Actuarial Clerk.  He weighed 117 lb and his chest measurements were 31/33
1/2 inches.  He had attended Manchester Grammar School and was a Colour
Sergeant with their O.T.C., when discharged by them on the 7th August 1914.
  On that same date, he applied for a commission in the British Army.   His
father who had to counter-signed his application as he was under 21 years
of age was the Sub-Manager of the Williams Deacons Bank, St. Ann Street,
Manchester.   Initially he was reported as missing on the 1st July 1916,
but on the 20th November 1916, the Army wrote to his parents informing them
that his body had been found.  On the 17th July 1917, his Valet, Private W.
Moreton sent  a letter to "Dear Friends".  His Parents perhaps ?  
Informing them that he had left in the care of Quarter Master Tomlinson
some of Captain Heald's personal items.  (1) A bag containing German
equipment & socks and a pair of boots.  (2) A box with items tightly packed
in.  (3) A small common soap box containing his correspondence and writing
pads and   (4) His sleeping valaise.  Private Moreton's address was given
as 9 Marple Street, Pendleton, Manchester.  Administration of his Estate
was given to his mother - Sarah Ann Heald and was valued at £97. 5s. 2d.
 
5th November 1914 edition of the Manchester Courier - Gazetted on the 4th
November Salford Bn Lancashire Fusiliers.

The 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers (1st Salford) were part of the 96
Brigade, 32nd Division.   On the 1st July they were attacking on the left
of the Division's attack on Thiepval, the Leipzig Salient and Mouquet Farm.
 They were cut to pieces by the German machine gunners.  Out of a force of
624 there were 470 casualties.

Mentioned in the 19/05/1915 edition of the local newspaper.

The 24/11/1916 edition of the Altrincham Guardian stated that he had been
missing since the 1st July, but that his body had now been found.

Cousin of Lt. Clarence Harris Wright - also killed on active service.

Although wounded, he continued to lead his men until he was finally cut
down by machine gun fire.

M.I. - "Farewell loved boy, sleep on and rest, your warfare here o'er".

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1917.

Individually commemorated on a brass plaque in St. Clement's Church.  MI -
"To die for justice, is to die for Christ".