Trafford

Born as Norman Rigby during the September quarter 1878 in the Altrincham
R.D. - ref: 8a/191, the son of John Henry & Sarah Ann Rigby (nee Dean).

1881 Census - 6 Nestor Street, Toxteth Park, Lancashire.   Son - aged: 3 -
born: Altrincham.   Head of household - John Henry Rigby - Married - aged:
28 - occ: Mariner - bon: Manchester.  Also - Sarah Ann Rigby - Wife - aged:
27 - born: Bowdon,   Plus 3 elder siblings and 2 lodgers.

1891 Census - 12 Upper Baker Street, West Derby, Liverpool.   Grandson -
aged: 12 - Scholar - born: Altrincham.   Head of household - John Rigby -
Married - aged: 63 - Retired Police Inspector - born: Wrightington,
Lancashire.   Also Mary Rigby - Wife - aged: 64 - born: Ireland.   Plus 1
paternal aunt and 2 elder siblings.   His parents and 5 of his siblings
were then residing at 10 Hardman Street, Bury, Lancashire.   His father was
employed as a Felt Hatter

1901 Census - He was serving in India at this time.  His parents were Sarah
Ann residing at the School House, Delamere Street, Bury along with 3 of his
siblings.

Married - Eleanor Pace during the December quarter 1904 in the Burnley R.D.
- ref: 8e/436.

1911 Census - 2 Pool Cottages, Urban Road, Altrincham.  Head of household
(Norman Rigby) - Married - aged: 32 - occ: Clay Miner at Brickworks - born:
Altrincham.   Also - Eleanor Rigby - Wife - aged: 29 - bvorn: Altrincham.  
Plus 3 daughters and 1 son - Blanche (6), Albert (4), Mary (3), Norah (1). 
It would appear that the family moved from Burnley to Altrincham around
1907/08.

WO96/696/353. (1) - Under the Name Norman RIGBY, he enlisted into the 3rd
Battalion, South Lancashire Rgt No. 4519 at Liverpool on the 4th September
1895.   He was recorded as being born at Bowdon and residing at 30 Little
Woolton Street, Liverpool.  He was aged: 17 years, 3 months and employed as
a Carter with Mr. F. Stanway, 190 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool.  He was 5 feet
6 1/4 inches in height, with chest measurements of 33/355 inches.  He had a
Fair complexion, Brown eyes and Black hair.  His religious denomination was
- Church of England.   He had a Tombstone Heart & ???? tattooed on his left
forearm and a scar on his left knee.  On enlistment, he was drilled for 49
days.

WO96/840/244 (2) - Under the name Norman RIGBY, he enlisted into the 5th
Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Rgt No.3440 at Lancaster on the 2nd July
1896.   He was recorded as being born at Bowdon and residing at 30 Little
Woolton Street, Liverpool.   He was aged: 18 years 6 months and employed as
a Carter with Mr. F. Holland, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool.   When asked if he
had any previous military service, he answered NO.  He was now 5 feet 6 3/4
inches in height and weighed 118 lb.  His chest measurements were 32 1/2-
34 inches, he had a Fresh complexion, Brown eyes, Brown hair and his
religious denomination was Church of England.  He had a Monumental cross
upside down tattooed on the front of his left forearm.

WO97/4670/57. (3) - Under the name of John DEAN, he attested into the
Border Rgt No. 5118 at Carlisle on the 8th September 1896.  He was recorded
as being born at Altrincham and employed as a Labourer.  He stated that he
was currently serving with the 4th Battalion, Border Rgt but made no
mention as to which name he was registered under.   He was still 5 feet 6
3/4 inches in height, but now weighted 122 lb.    His chest measurements
were now 34/36, Fresh complexion, Brown eyes, Brown hair and Church of
England.

Enlistment into the 1st Battalion, Border Rgt confirmed on the 8th January
1897.   Granted 1d Good Conduct Pay on the 8th September 1898.  Transferred
into the 2nd Battalion, Border Rgt on the 5th November 1898.  Forfeited 1d
Good Conduct Pay on the 4th December 1899, but this was restored on the
12th.   Granted 2d Good Conduct Pay on the 12th December 1902.   Time now
served with the Territorials and was transferred to the Army Reserve on the
26th January 1904.   Fully discharged from the Army on the 7th September
1908 having served his 12 years time, less 4 years, 195 days non
pensionable time.  He had served at Home from the 8th September 1896 until
the 9th November 1897, then at Malta from the 10th November 1897 until the
4th November 1898.  He had served at East India (Umballa) from the 5th
November 1898 until the 23rd January 1904. The remainder of his service
from the 24th January 1904 until his total discharge on the 7th September
1908 was at Home.   He had received a course of instruction at the Umballa
Veterinary School on the 14th January 1902.   His father - John Henry DEAN
was recorded as residing at 18 Dale Street, Workington and his elder
brother Harry was serving in the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards.

WO363 (4) - Under the name John DEAN (Alias Norman RIGBY), he attested into
the 4th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Rgt No. 4942 at Manchester on
the 14th August 1914.  He was now aged: 36 years, 53 days, employed as a
Labourer and residing at 2 Pool Cottages, Urban Road, Altrincham.  He was
now 5 feet 8 1/2 inches in height, weighed 144 lb and his chest
measurements were 38 1/2 to 41 inches.  He had a Ruddy complexion, Brown
eyes, Black hair, turning grey and was Church of England.  The form states
that he was Time Served with the 4th Battalion, Border Rgt.   He was posted
to the 3rd Battalion, KORL Rgt on the 19th August 1914 and into the 2nd
Battalion on the 26th December 1914.  Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on
the 10th February 1915, but reverted to the permanent rank of Private on
the 16th February 1915.   Appointed paid Lance Corporal on the 12th
November 1915 and Acting Corporal on the 26th February 1916.   Posted into
the 6th Battalion on the 6th September 1916.   He served at Home from the
15th August 1914 until the 14th January 1915.   France from the 15th
January 1915 to the 23rd March 1915.  Home from the 24th March 1915 to the
5th September 1916.  Mediterranean from the 6th September 1916 to the date
of his death on the 9th February 1917.

Another document dated the 12th October 1914, relates to John DEAN No. 3882
serving with the 3rd Battalion, The King's Own Roayal Lancaster Rgt.   A
Marriage & Children document records that he married Eleanor Pace at
Burnley, Lancashire on the 5th November 1904.  The witnesses were Thomas
Morley and Sarah Rigby (mother?).  Their children were recorded as -
Blanche (b. 04/04/1905) - Albert (b.26/10/1906) - Mary (b. 16/10/1907) -
Norah (b. 07/10/1909) - Norman (b. 10/09/1913) - Alfred (b. 07/09/1915). 
Albert & Blanche were born at Burnley, the remained at Altrincham.

Employed at the Baguley Sanatorium.  He also worked for Mr. H.Cragg, Old
Market Place, Altrincham.

Death reported in the 02/03/1917 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.

MIC states that he first served in France on the 15th January 1915.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1918.