Lt Humphrey King Hoyle
Lychgate honour for Bury man who died on his first day of battle in World War One
THE story of a Bury man who has a lychgate in his honour at Christ Church Walmersley has been researched to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One.

Humphrey King Hoyle died on his first day of his battalions (5th Lancashire Fusiliers) battle at the age of 20 during an assault on the Dardanelles, in Turkey, on May 7, 1915.

The lychgate was presented by his parents, James Smallpage Hoyle and his wife Mabel, and dedicated at the church on February 3, 1916.

The memorial has since took pride of place at the entrance of the church, and parishoner Michael Ryan has conducted extensive research on Mr Hoyle's life, which was cut short during the offensive.

Mr Ryan said: "I had done some work on the history of the church building, and then somebody in the congregation whose surname was Hoyle asked if there was any connection between their family name and Mr Hoyle, whose life is commemorated with the lychgate.

"In addition to the special milestone of the centenary since the start of World War One, this inspired me to investigate his life.

"There are a few people here in their 80s and 90s who still remember him, and have parish magazines dating from back then, which has been useful."

Originally born in Lytham, Mr Hoyle's father was the owner of Brooksbottom Mill in Summerseat, and the family lived at Bassfield Farm, in Walmersley Road, near the junction with Bass Lane.

.He attended the prestigious Rugby School in Warwickshire, which continues to be one of the best known and expensive schools in the country, and was made head of games in 1913, his final year at the school.

Mr Hoyle briefly worked at his father's mill before he was set to enrol at Cambridge University.

He had previously been assigned to the 5th battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers, and volunteered for overseas service at the outbreak of war in August 1914.

Lancashire Fusiliers, and volunteered for overseas service at the outbreak of war in August 1914.

He completed two weeks of initial training at the Drill Hall in Bury, before the battalion moved to Southampton to set sail to Egypt.

After undertaking garrison activities, the battalion was then moved to Turkey as part of the new military strategy — which later resulted in the iconic “six VCs before breakfast" famously won by the Lancashire Fusiliers at Gallipoli — led by Winston Churchill, who was the First Lord of the Admiralty at the time.

The battalion was eventually deployed, but found it difficult to advance after being bombarded by shells from the Turks.

Mr Hoyle was wounded in the arm and leg but carried on, and was later killed during the advance.

His father received a telegram from the office informing him of his death, and flags flew half hast at Brooksbottom Mill and at Christ Church the following day.

The lychgate, which is built of stone from the Fletcher Bank quarry in Ramsbottom, was then unveiled by his parents and dedicated by J.C. Hill, the Rector of Bury.

Mr Hoyle's father also gifted a bronze mural tablet featuring the namers of 40 men from the parish who died during World War One, which was dedicated on March 14, 1920.

by Andrew Bardsley
Bury Times