Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1878 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. -
ref: 8c/661, the son of Mary Rigby.

1881 Census - Water Meetings Cottage, Stretford.    Gandson - aged: 3 -
born: Stretford.  Head of household - David Royle - Married - aged: 41 -
occ: Labourer on Canal Bank - born: Stretford.  Plus his grandmother - Ann
Royle - Wife - occ: Laundress - born: Stretford.   David's mother - Mary
Rigby is listed, but not his father.  Mary - Rigby - Married - aged: 25 -
born: Stretford.   Plus 1 younger sister - Sarah Ann Rigby, aged: 1 month. 
 I can find no trace of his mother either before or after 1881.

1891 Census - No Trace of David or his mother.

1901 Census - 100 Bridgewater Canal, Stretford.   Nephew - aged: 22 - occ:
Canal Labourer - born: Stretford.   Head of household - Samuel Royle -
Single - aged: 29 - occ: Canal Banksman - born: Stretford.

1911 Census - No Trace.

Married - Mary Elizabeth Burton during the June quarter 1902 in the Barton
upon Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/1007.

WO363 - Enlisted at Sale on the 27th November 1915.   He was aged 38 years
186 days, employed as a Labourer and resided at 12 Dane Road, Sale.  He was
5 feet, 8 inches in height and his chest measurements were 32 - 34 inches. 
He weighed 123 lb and he had a slight flat foot. His physical development
was described as Fair.   His next of kin was his wife - Mary Elizabeth
Rigby who he married at St. Matthew's P.C. on the 14th June 1902.   The had
four children, the first two born at Stretford, the seond two at Sale. 
James Richardson Lyell Rigby born: 28/03/1903 - Ethel Rigby born:
02/09/1905 - Joseph Rigby born: 26/02/1019 and Elsie Rigby born:
27/04/1914.  His effects were sent to his widow on the 28th May 1918 and
comprised: a purse, cap badge, identity disc, looking glass, comb,
cigarette case, belt and a bag.

Formerly 5148 Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but was transferred into the 14th
Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment on the 11th July 1917 and into their
'D' Company on the 2nd April 1918, the day that he embarked for France.  
Posted into the 2nd Battalion in the field on the 7th April 1918.

Commemorated on the private family gravestone in Stretford Cemetery. 
listed as the Grandson of David & Ann Royle, which states that he died of
wounds in France.   M.I. - "His was the Supreme Sacrifice".

No M.I. on the Flanders Headstone.